Melvin Douglas Frederick “Mac” McDermott
1944-2026
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Melvin Douglas Frederick "Mac" McDermott, 81, passed away on August 21, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. He was born on December 9, 1944, in Kingston, Jamaica, to Aston and Daphne McDermott.
Mac married Jana Chili in Kingston, Jamaica on April 25, 1981. During more than 45 years of marriage, they built a life and family grounded in devotion, resilience, affection, and laughter. Mac and Jana lived in Jamestown for 20 years, where they raised their children & formed enduring friendships.
A graduate of the University of Salford in England, Mac was a mechanical and production engineer and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Following an entrepreneurial career in Kingston, he worked for Cummins Engine in Jamestown.
Mac wanted nothing more than to know that "his people" were happy and doing well. He expressed his love through generosity, extraordinary Jamaican cooking, concern for those around him, and his familiar reminder--"Don't worry yourself"--delivered in true Jamaican fashion. Full of swagger, charm, and quick wit, Mac will also be remembered for his thick Jamaican accent and infectious laugh. He loved watching his children compete in sports, following tennis, and listening to reggae, jazz, Celine Dion, and Fausto Papetti.
Mac is survived by his beloved wife, Jana; his children, Stewart McDermott, Tirana and her husband, Craig Neiswanger, Kyle and his wife, Jade McDermott, and Andrew and his wife, Adrienne McDermott; his grandchildren, Matthew, Amaziah, and Brooke McDermott; his nephew, Christian and Krystal Jackson, their daughter, Liliana , and his siblings, Sandy Dorbu, Veta McDermott, Ronald McDermott, and Dahlia McDermott.
The funeral service will be held on Friday,
September, 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Bon Air Baptist Church, located at 2531 Buford Road, Richmond, VA, 23235 and livestreamed, with access information available through the https://www.affinityfuneralservice.com
/obituaries/Melvin-Mcdermott?obId=49382750.
Donations in memory of Mac can be made in to the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County, where Jana served as Founding Director, at capjustice.org/donate.