Avis de décès de Peter-J. McDonough

Peter J. McDonough 1927 - 2010 FAIRPORT - Former Fairport mayor, county legislator and SUNY professor, Peter J. McDonough, died of natural causes on March 26, 2010. He passed away peacefully, with his wife of 59 years, Bernadette, by his side, holding his hand. Mr. McDonough and his wife resided in the village of Fairport for nearly 50 years, raising seven children in their home on South Main Street. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mr. McDonough was a fixture in local government, serving as the mayor of Fairport for 12 years from 1972 to 1984, followed by several years as the minority whip in the Monroe County legislature. Born Feb. 26, 1927 in New York City, Peter grew up in a family of first generation Irish immigrants. His enlistment in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and pride of his Irish heritage would later shape many aspects of his personal and professional life. He was a prolific collector of naval history and ship models. His passion for community service forged Rochester's Sister City alliance with Waterford, Ireland, stemming from McDonough's personal friendship with the Waterford mayor. His election in Fairport marked the first time a Democrat was appointed to the role, after decades of a Republican administration. McDonough went on to serve three terms, but his middle term was a hotly contested victory determined by a single vote, leading the town paper to post the front page headline, "Landslide Pete Wins Again." While mayor, he directed the department of public works to paint a green stripe down Fairport's Main Street in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. In 1978, his combative Irish style captured media attention when he resolved a budget impasse between Fairport and the federal government over repairs to local railway roadwork by threatening to park snowplows on the national railway running through the center of Fairport. Peter was instrumental in preserving Fairport's historic lift-bridge and defeated efforts that attempted to privatize Fairport's municipal electric service, which remains a legacy for village residents today. During his 12-year administration, Fairport undertook a major urban renewal program, creating the Village Landing retail shops located on the banks of the Erie Canal. With an undergraduate degree from St. John's University and post graduate degree from New York University, McDonough capped a successful career in sales and marketing with a move to academia. His love for teaching began early in his career when he served as a part-time faculty member at Xavier University of Ohio. After serving as a marketing vice president for a Rochester business, he joined the State University of New York and became a tenured professor in marketing at Empire State College, where he taught for 14 years. In conjunction with his faculty post, Peter served as regional director of American Management Association and established a consulting practice specializing in creativity and marketing strategy, serving national blue chip companies such as 3M, as well as regional businesses throughout New York. Peter is survived by his beloved wife, Bernadette; seven children, Bernadette McDonough Canfield of Pittsford, Mary Margaret McDonough and husband Richard of Tennessee, Peter McDonough and wife Andrea of Connecticut, Catherine Cominsky and husband Michael of Utica, N.Y., James McDonough and wife Heidi of Ohio, Thomas McDonough of Pennsylvania and Tricia Ryan and husband Jack of Connecticut; their respective families of 14 grandchildren; and dear friend, Maureen Kenney. Visitation was held on April 5, at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, Fairport. A funeral Mass was celebrated April 6 at Church of the Assumption in Fairport. Interment is in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Fairport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Fairport Historical Society, 18 Perrin St., Fairport, NY 14450.