OBITUARY | John 'Jack' McCormick

John “Jack” McCormick, 88, of Bradenton and formerly of Longboat Key and Buffalo, N.Y., died Aug. 21.

Born Oct. 21, 1926, in Buffalo, N.Y.,  to Dr. McCormick to Emmett and Margaret McCormick. After serving the U.S. Army during World War II, he attended Canisius College and Syracuse University before graduating from Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1949. Soon after, he took over the Amherst Small Animal Hospital in Snyder, N.Y., which would become a pioneer in areas such as eye surgery. Dr. McCormick was very involved with organizations in his professions and was named Veterinarian of the Year in New York State in 1977.

After practicing for 30 years and tiring of the cold winters, he relocated to Longboat Key, where served as a town commissioner from 1982 to 1984. He began second career as a Realtor with Kevin Levins Realty, now Wagner Realty. He was named Business Person of the Year in 1990 by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and continued to work until 2010. He also served as a lector at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church for many years.

Dr. McCormick was a longtime member of Bradenton Country Club and former member of the Park Club in Buffalo. His self-stated proudest accomplishments, however, were his 62-year marriage to Barbara and his five children.

Dr. McCormick is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Timothy, John, Michael, Maureen and Todd; siblings Joan and Peggy; 12 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass was held Aug. 22.