Kevin C. McDermott

Kevin Colin McDermott, age 71, of Allegheny Township, passed away, at home, on October 21, 2026. The twelfth of twelve kids, Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Paul H. Sr. and Helen C. McDermott; nine siblings, Paul H. McDermott Jr., Patricia Gavlik, Margaret Lamperski, Michael McDermott, John McDermott, Eileen Feerst, Theresa Deak, Robert McDermott, and James McDermott; nephew and Godchild Daniel Gavlik; the love of his life, Debra McDermott (Cuddy); and their daughter, Claire McDermott.

Kevin is survived by his two sons, Matthew Alan McDermott (Sarah), of Allegheny Township, and Luke Daniel McDermott (Shannon), of Leechburg; four grandchildren, Emma, Sophia, Judah, and Ezra; one brother, Daniel McDermott (Kathryn); one sister, Helen Taylor (late David); and myriad nieces and nephews, including Godchildren Michelle Deak and Doug Lamperski.

Kevin was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he became an electrician. He liked to joke that he spent more time around airplanes, which he serviced as part of his work, than any of his three brothers who served in the U.S. Air Force. He also bragged that the Navy is where he met three lifelong friends—Lamar, Steve, and John—who stayed in touch and were always supportive.

Kevin was hardworking, smart, and creative. He loved making things, giving many of his creations as gifts, such as handmade rocking horses for relatives’ children. He inherited “The McDermott Eye,” as his dad called it, referring to the family’s penchant for precision. With help from family and friends, he completed much of the work to build his family’s home, including all wiring. He treated home projects as an opportunity to teach his sons how to do things, and, most often, how to use ingenuity and plain ol’ elbow grease.

Kevin loved his family, both his own and his wife’s. He spent countless hours restoring and digitizing family photos and videos. Inspired by his wife’s family, who have held an annual family reunion since the 1920s, Kevin organized the first annual McDermott reunion, still going nearly 50 years later. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the McDermott reunion, he spent months creating the most elaborate reunion invitation he could conceive: Kevin directed, produced, and starred in his own film, with Deb and her sewing savvy creating the costumes (old-fashioned baseball uniforms) from scratch. Kevin spent a summer and fall scouting locations, traveling to family, and filming, usually dragging Deb and their sons with him. He then spent all winter teaching himself video editing to cut together the scenes and overlay the music to create what many critics consider to be his crowning artistic achievement—”Field of My Dreams.”

Kevin loved singing and dancing and goofing around. He loved trying to get on the jumbotron. He loved telling stories. He loved making people laugh. He loved sports and was always competetive. With a cigarette in his mouth and a beer nearby in foul territory, he laid out head first for fly balls at reunion softball games well into his 50s. He loved playing all-time quarterback, riding quads, and hitting fly balls with his sons. He loved bocce and volleyball and horseshoes. He loved camping and fishing. He loved experimenting in the kitchen. He loved organizing family outings, such as going to baseball games, visits to family, and dinners. Most of all, he loved sitting quietly on the back porch with Deb.

Please contact Luke McDermott at 724-681-4178 for details about a celebration of Kevin’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a charity that Kevin donated to every month.