John Daniel Hegarty

John Daniel Hegarty, age 90 of Valhalla, NY, passed away on July 14, 2023. John was born in 1932 in White Plains, New York, grew up in North White Plains, graduated from Stepinac High School, NY Trade School for Industrial Electronics, and in his early 40s he returned to school and graduated from Westchester Community College. John served in the United States Air Force in Alaska during the Korean War where he served in the military band playing the trombone. He worked for over 25 years as a Court Officer in the White Plains Court House.

He met his very patient and kind wife Barbara in White Plains and were married in 1961. John loved his family and spent all of his time with his family, extended family, and friends. Lots of long visits to see Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Brody, and the kids. The family had great times with the Pruners camping and at their epic pool parties. And lots of fun times with the Hoffmans. He and his family spent vacations every summer all along the eastern seaboard, never the same place twice. On weekends he would be playing board games, ice skating at Teatown Lake, swimming at Westwood Pool, hiking, or biking on "Bicycle Sundays" on the Bronx River Parkway with his children and their friends. He took his family to Sneaker beach (Sherwood Is.), Jones, Robert Moses and Hampton Bays beaches. He loved Irish, Big Band and Jazz music, as well as Abba, John Denver and Johnny Cash. He read a lot of the Catholic mystics and the "Cloud of Unknowing" was his favorite book.

He is predeceased by his wife Barbara (nee Keegan) and by his cherished and sorely missed grandson Daniel Michael II. He is survived by his daughter, Diane Hartnett, sons Brian and Daniel, daughter Mary, his son in law Stephen Hartnett, and daughters in law, Laurie and Maria, and by his beloved grandchildren, Kathleen, Daniel Patrick, Keri Anne, Sarah, Joey, and Krystal, and great grandson, Mason. He is also survived by his dear Aunt Kathleen Hegarty, Sr. John's mother Annaliese was of Irish descent, his father was born and raised in Killacorraun, County Mayo, Ireland, along the River Deel, and at the base of the majestic Nephin Beg. Thirteen-year-old John spent two months visiting "the relations" in Ireland in the summer of 1946 with his father; a memorable trip indeed.

John (AKA Jack) was a unique character, stating whatever was on his mind, disliked small talk, and preferred to talk about deeper subjects. He loved his childhood dog Rover, the family dog C.B., and in later years DD, Cassie and Bailey. John will be greatly missed by his family; he lived a full and rich life. So long for now "Poppie".

Donations are welcome to The Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation, Donate ( ryansfoundation.org ) or to Friends of Karen, Ways to Donate | Friends of Karen in memory of John's Grandson, Daniel Michael Hegarty II.