Hoosick Falls – Mr. John (Jack) Richard Dwyer died on Sunday, December 5, 2010, at the Hoosick Falls Health Center in Hoosick Falls, NY. He had formerly resided on Burchard Avenue and was the husband of the late Eileen (Bogardus) Dwyer; they were married for forty-nine years.
Born in Hoosick Falls on July 2, 1926, he was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Nolan) Dwyer. In 1943 he graduated Salutatorian from St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls and was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Jack was a WW II veteran serving in the United States Navy and New York State Guard. Following completion of U.S. Navy Boot Camp in Sampson, NY, and Gunny School in Newport, RI, Jack reported for duty aboard the USS Bonne Homme Richard aircraft carrier. Eventually he was transferred to the destroyer USS Baldwin for deployment in the Pacific-Asiatic theater. He received the WW II Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, American Theater and WW II Victory Medals.
Following the war, Jack worked for the Wood Flong (Lydall) Corporation of Hoosick Falls for approximately forty-five years. Subsequently, he was employed by the Rensselaer County Department of Aging for fifteen years, providing transportation and assistance to seniors throughout the county. He was a member of the American Legion. In addition to playing golf and a friendly game of cards, he enjoyed spending summers with family and friends at his camp on Hedges Lake, NY. Watching his New York Yankees and Giants faithfully was another favorite pastime.
Jack had a keen interest in current events, especially local and national politics. He served his community as a Trustee on the Hoosick Falls Village Board for ten years.
Survivors include his sons, Robert J. Dwyer and wife JoAnn of Chazy, NY, John R. Dwyer Jr. of Kansas City, MO, and Phillip T. Dwyer and wife Vicki of Buskirk, NY, his grandchildren, Colleen Bell and husband Mathew of Chazy, Keely Dwyer-Matzky and husband Karl of Pittsford, NY, Kevin Dwyer and wife Cathy of Chazy, Michaela Dwyer of Boston, MA, and Dustin Dwyer of Hoosick Falls, his great-grandchildren, Kayleigh, Samuel, Makenna and Jack Bell, Kieran, Keegan and Kirsten Matzky and Kaela and Kaden Dwyer, his sister, Elizabeth Dwyer of Hoosick Falls, his sister-in-law, Bettie and husband Edward Zilinskas of Cambridge, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack is pre-deceased by his wife, Eileen, his sons, James A. Dwyer and Timothy J. Dwyer, his sister, Isabelle Wright, and his brother, Joseph Dwyer.
Funeral services are on Friday, December 10, at 9:15 am from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, December 9, from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Mary’s Academy or the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund through the funeral home.