Matthew Edward McDermott passed away Sunday, May 22, 2022. His battle with serious medical issues in recent months showed his courage and strength in facing life challenges.
Matt was born August 10, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late George W. and Florence M. (Curtin) McDermott. He moved to South Florida in 1979 and lived in Lighthouse Point, Florida for 25+ years.
A skilled artisan, Matt was a co-owner of McDermott Tile & Marble, a company founded with his late brother, James McDermott, in Deerfield Beach, Florida. In recent years, Matt joined in partnership and friendship with Joseph McMahon and together the two have prospered at McDermott Tile.
Matt enjoyed his summers on Lake Delavan, Wisconsin, where he summered with his extended family for his entire life. Matt could be found driving the boat from sunrise to sunset. Over the years, Matt successfully taught a community of both friends and family of all ages how to water ski.
Deeply devout and an incredibly faithful Catholic, he was an active member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lighthouse Point, Florida. Matt's family takes solace that his handiwork is still here to enjoy around our parish as McDermott Tile & Marble installed various projects including walkways, entryways, the Parish Hall, and Stations of the Cross. For the past several years, Matt also taught religious education at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church.
Matt loved following all of South Florida sports. He was an avid fan of the Miami Dolphins and enjoyed his season tickets for nearly 30 years. He also enjoyed following the Florida (“Miami”) Marlins, University of Miami, and Duke basketball.
Matt thoroughly enjoyed traveling. When not headed back and forth to Delavan or at Deerfield Beach, Matt traveled to Dubai, Oman, Cuba, and Bolivia, as well as to numerous states, with his cherished wife, Alicia.
Those left to honor his memory include his loving wife of 30+ years, Alicia; children, Michelle McDermott, Kelly (William) Carafello; Amy McDermott; Matthew McDermott, Jr., and Allison McDermott; grandchildren: Erik Garcias, Kaitlyn Gross, Ella Garcias, Jacob Gross, Annaclaire Carafello, and William Carafello, Jr.; siblings, Sharon (Thomas) Bell of Countryside, Illinois, Timothy (Theresa) McDermott of Oak Lawn, Illinois, Robert McDermott of Delavan, Wisconsin, David (Joan) McDermott of Moline, and George (Heather) McDermott of Moline; a sister-in-law, Nancy McDermott of Downer’s Grove, Illinois, a sister-in-law, Lisa McDermott of Rock Island, Illinois; numerous nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James McDermott; brother William McDermott; and two nieces, Anne Marie Bell, and Erin Blader. May they rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to Women of Grace, a Catholic apostolate championed by Alicia and held close to Matt’s heart:
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