John McGolerick, Jr.

John William McGolerick Jr., 94, of Frederick, passed from this life on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Vindabona Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a month's stay.

Born on September 29, 1923, in Weverton, Maryland, he was the son of the late Myrtle R. (Himes) and John W. McGolerick, Sr. His wife, Mary Ruth Norris McGolerick, preceded him in death.

John graduated from Brunswick High School in 1941 and began working career by helping to build the Sandy Hook Bridge over the Potomac River.

He retired in 1983 after 41 years with the B&O Railroad as a brakeman and yard master.

Mr. McGolerick was a veteran of World War II, proudly serving his county in then the U.S. Army's 80th Division, Patton's Third Army during the Battle of the Bulge having landed on Omaha Beach. He was wounded three months after the Battle of the Bulge and received a Bronze Star for his distinguished service. He was injured near the Rhine in Germany leaving him with a forty percent disability.

He was a member of Brownsville Church of the Brethren where he was a life deacon having served on many committees. He was the first coordinator for the disaster relief team and a faithful participant in the Food Bank. He was life-member and past commander VFW Post 10421; life member of the DAV; life member of the American Legion Post 96, both in Brunswick; life member of Battle of the Bulge WWII; life member R.S. Tagg, Jr. Post 14 DAV in Hagerstown; life member of Florida Post 47 and the 80th Division Assn.; member of the 60th Division Assn.; member and past president of the Pleasant Valley Ruritan Club since 1960; former Zone 2 governor of Potomac District of Ruritan; and member and past president of Pleasant Valley Senior Citizens since 1978.

John loved the outdoors especially camping and fishing. He loved sports, especially baseball. He was the catcher for Gapland in the South Mountain League. New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs were his favorite teams.

John is survived by a daughter, Doreen L. Semler of Braddock Heights; two granddaughters, Donna Faecke and husband, David, of Chesterfield, VA and Cathy Hood and husband, Vance, of Hagerstown; five great-grandchildren, Randy and Brooke Hood both of Hagerstown, Kaylee and Maggie Faecke both of Chesterfield, Virginia and Mackenzie Faecke Gendron and husband, Alec of Aurora, Colorado; and nephew, Mickey Rothery and wife, Joan, of Georgia.

He was preceded in death by son-in-law, Donald R. Semler; infant sister, Anna McGolerick; and sister, Kathryn L. Rothery; brother-in-law, Milton O. Rothery; and a nephew, Lanny Rothery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro and one hour prior to services on Monday.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 19th at Brownsville Church of the Brethren near Brownsville. Rev. Alan M. Smith will officiate. Interment will be at Brownsville Heights Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Knoxville, MD 21758.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at BastStaufferFuneralHome.com.