John Lyall McSherry

John Lyall McSherry, age 96, died peacefully at his home in Weirton, West Virginia on July 2, 2010. Born in Lewiston, Maine on August 20, 1913, he was the third of four children of John and Mary Powell McSherry. He is survived by his children, Richard and his wife Linda McSherry of Norway, Maine, Janice McSherry and her husband Garen DiBartolomeo of Weirton, WV, and Suzanne McSherry of Lake Placid, New York. Also, granddaughter Christy Snow Kaster, her husband Nick and great-grandson Teddy, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His wife of 54 years, Thelma Farmilo McSherry, predeceased him in 1995. John worked in the grocery business his entire life, starting after high school as a stock clerk for the Mohican Grocery in Lewiston, managing the Mohican in Glens Falls, NY, and eventually owning his own supermarket, McSherry's Super Duper, in Gloversville, NY. He continued to work as a deli manager into his 80s, long after he closed his store. John took great pride in having served his country in World War II. Assigned to the 80th Infantry Division, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to landing on Utah Beach and advancing across France and into Germany with Gen. Patton's 3rd Army. He was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantry Medal, and the Bronze Star. Like many of his generation, he only reluctantly told tales of his wartime experiences, but was proud that as a mess sergeant he was able to provide, with few exceptions, at least one hot meal a day to the men in his unit through nearly ten months of all but continuous engagement with the enemy. Despite having lived many years in New York State, Massachusetts and West Virginia, John was first and foremost a Maine Yankee. After a few years of semi-retirement with winters in Florida, he realized the longtime dream of returning to his native state when he and his wife Thelma settled in to their oceanfront home in Tenants Harbor, Maine. They took great pleasure in putting on lobster feeds for relatives and friends which featured an enameled cooker over a wood fire nestled into the rocky shore. Always active even at leisure, John fed the birds, gardened and split stovewood and, though he took it up late in life, he enjoyed playing golf until he was nearly 90. He was a friendly person who enjoyed the company of others and was known for his dry wit and gentlemanly ways. John could always be counted on by his family, friends and colleagues. The family would like to especially thank the staff at the Weirton Geriatric Center who cared for John during the last year of his life with love and dignity. He arranged for the donation of his remains to the West Virginia University Human Gift Registry, so there will be no viewing. A private memorial will be held at a later date. In recognition of his love of animals, the family suggests donations in his memory to any local animal shelter, the North Country SPCA, 23 Lake Shore Road, Westport, NY 12993 or the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum, P.O. Box 247, Port Clyde, ME 04855.