John Vincent McDonough
January 22, 1937 - October 24, 2012
John Vincent McDonough passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
Jack was born January 22, 1937 to Mildred Anne Devine and Utah State Chief Supreme Court Justice Roger I. McDonough. He attended Judge Memorial Catholic, elementary through high school.
He was employed by the Utah State Road Commission for more than 30 years and worked up from the position of Rear Chainman to Civil Engineer, and then Chief of Party. Jack was most proud of his role as Location Surveyor. A discoverer and map-maker of places that were hitherto unknown and blank, Jack was the last of the explorers. His fine penmanship and eye for the line were put to good use on the draftsman's table to create the charts and blueprints for the future he was building for the rest of us.
He apprenticed in the mid-fifties under James A. Haig, who Jack considered one of the greatest engineers of all time.
Jack is survived by his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Joyce Artese who was won over by the Irish charm and persistence of the young man she would marry. They had six daughters – the loves of Jack's life, Lynn Anne McDonough (Douglas Pope), Shannon McDonough Skiles, Mikell McDonough (Herb Lizalde), Margaret Julia McDonough (Coleman Nay), Anita Camille Deppe (Robert Deppe), and Jacqueline M. McDonough (Anthony Leger).
Known for his clever card tricks and knack for telling a good story, Jack made this world a better place by sharing the experience of who he was with others. He loved to speak of his friend, Sam McGee, and was adept at the recital of long-form poetry. Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and scoring his favorite baseball games with family and friends. Even the simple manner of his greeting – a "Hey darlin'!" and "Hi babe!" could make a person feel nothing short of a million bucks.
When he wasn't cheering on the Chicago Cubs or fair-minded Democrats, Jack was rooting for his grandkids front and center, on the side-line of whatever basketball game, spelling-bee, music performance, ski run, or speech that was on tap for the week. The number one cheerleader for all of whom he cared, Jack's heart was kind and true.
In addition to his wife and five of six daughters, Jack is survived by his siblings, Anne D. Moore (Bob), Edward J. McDonough (Gay), and Gerald M. McDonough (Ronnie). In life he surrounded himself with the close-knit circle of grandchildren, cousins, relatives, and Australian Shepherds known as the McDonough Clan. From Salt Lake City to Kilmacthomas, among those he called family, some were of blood and some of deepest friendship. He rejoins his eldest brother Roger J. McDonough, daughter Anita C. Deppe, and granddaughter Jennifer M. Deppe who have since departed in likewise fulfillment of God's greater plan.
Jack's presence was grand, but felt without imposition. His warmth and generosity prevailed as qualities that defined him as a man who was loyal to his word, constant in his faith, and to all he touched – a model for what it means to be kind.
A wake will be held on Sunday, October 28th from 6 to 8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 29th at 11:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, Salt Lake City. Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Ave and "T" Street, Salt Lake City.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Program at the Cathedral of the Madeleine or the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
In Loving Memory
Mindy and I send our condolences to the whole McDonough clan. We recall Jack as a marvelous story teller--a McDonough gift--and as a man who, while clearly proud of his girls, would, yet, on an evening, jokingly seek to bargain for our first born son. Just the one!" He was a fine man. His beautifully written obituary could not, in our mind, better capture and honor his spirit. Our heart and prayers go to you all. Wish we could be there to celebrate his life with you.
We extend our deepest sympathies and utmost compassion to the McDonough family. As we read the amazing account of John's life, we see so many of his attributes in our friend, one of his beloved daughters, Mikell. We offer special loving, comforting hugs of support to our Dear Friend, Mikell. Our very best to you, Sweet Mikell, and to your family during this challenging time. Please know you are all surrounded with tremendous Love. In Love and Light, Julie and Todd
I exend my deepest sympathies to Betty and the girls. This is a message from Jack's best friend from the the mid to late fifties. You don't know me, but ask his sister Ann if I'm not real. (We were junivial delinqents)..."remembering the borrowing of the roadmaster Buick and the drive to the summit of Parleys....and then...the return!!! Jack and I were the best of friends, my mother was his second mother...I will not tell any more stories...but we weren't saints. Gil Cordovia, Jack and I were known to be involved in most confilicts at Judge... We spent many happy years together, not always on the right course... I will always remember the good times and will share them with anyone who wants to know. Will miss him and remember good times... Leo Walz Salt Lake City
Insights like this liven things up aronud here.
a lot about how society views muimlss and immigrants in general. It really made me think about my own situation and my thai wife coming to the UK. I'm sick of hearing the average guy on the street complaining about immigrants when they know little about whats involved and how hard it actually is for them to come here. They only see immigration as a threat to employment and can't see the bigger picture. I believe we need to take a different approach to immigration and make society aware of all of the issues involved rather than simply making it harder for them to come here. At the moment I think the general public are under the impression that the UK has an open door policy and allow anyone in. This couldn't be further from the truth. From my own personal experience currently preparing my wifes settlement visa, I am fully aware of the stress and strains that it has put on us and how it affects entire families lives. Society should be more sympathetic to that.Ignorance breeds the kind of racism which produces guys like Anders Behring Breivik. Those people complaining about immigrants may not do so in such an extreme way as Breivik, but it shows the racial undertones behind their views. Tackling racism towards immigrants is just as important as the immigration issue itself.Sorry, I didn't mean to take this away from the horror of what has happened in Norway. But I think the attacks have inevitably brought up some serious issues.Steve
I told my grandmother how you hleped. She said, "bake them a cake!"
In Loving Memory
