John Joseph Moran, age 83 of Brewster, NY, passed away on March 12, 2019 surrounded by his family after a long, hard-fought battle with brain cancer. True to his nature to the very end, he never gave up. John was born on May 12, 1935 in Bronx, NY to John and Anna Moran, Irish immigrants to New York City. He attended St. Ann’s Academy where he was a member of the track and basketball squads. He played basketball at St. Ann’s, where he was nicknamed “The Plumber” for his stingy defense, for future Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Lou Carnesecca and was selected to the All-City basketball and track teams.

John was a veteran of the US Army who served the majority of his time with the 753rd AAA Gun BN at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan during the 1950s. He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and was proud of his service to his country.

John married his lovely wife of 62 years in 1957 and together they proceeded to raise a family of seven children in their house in Brewster Heights. John could often be seen umpiring and coaching Little League baseball and CYO basketball games, attending countless children’s activities, including sports and St. Lawrence O’Toole sponsored events, and driving to all corners of Brewster to deliver his children to the numerous jobs they held around town.

John was a parishioner of St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church since 1965, a parish lector since 1980, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW and other organizations. He counted the people he met through these organizations as some of his closest friends. He was an avid supporter and volunteer for Graymoor, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Garrison, NY.

John had a highly successful and distinguished career in the food industry for over thirty years where his enthusiastic and engaging personality provided him with unparalleled knowledge of the industry. Anybody close to him knew to steer clear of any topics remotely related to cherry or apple pie preparation. One of his last positions before retiring was Vice President of National Accounts for Sara Lee though he held similar positions at Nabisco, Chef Pierre, and Michaels.

John was preceded in death by his parents John and Anna, and his sister Eileen. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy, and children Christine Magruder (Dan), Lisa Reynolds (Kevin), Deirdre Palmer (Scott), Matthew Moran (Kerry), Stephen Moran (Susanne), Dorene Chiudina (Jim), Andrew Moran (Erin), his oldest sister Nancy, 23 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews .

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Beecher Funeral Home on Thursday, March 14th. Mass will be at 10:00 am on Friday, March 15th at St. Lawrence O’Toole followed by internment at St. Lawrence O’Toole Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be given to either Graymoor, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Garrison, NY or Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam in Tarrytown, NY.