John J. McInerney, who rescued the entire Haven-Pugh Letter Collection and related materials and documents from the trash, passed away on May 17th, 2012 at age 100. Below is his obit.
John J. McInerney, born in Brooklyn, raised in Bayport, L.I., and who resided with his family in Sayville, died on May 17th, 2012 at an Alzheimer's clinic near Portland, Maine at the age of 100.
A man of extraordinary moral character, his life was guided by three great passions: a love of family (both immediate and extended); a devotion to the law (regarded as an avocation of high honor); and a rapture for sailing the Great South Bay (especially in his vintage wooden sailboat).
Upon graduating from Brooklyn Poly Prep, he attended Williams College '35 which prepared him for a lifelong love of history, reading, and an appreciation for the English language. It also served the vital function of providing an outlet for a remarkably spirited athletic career, culminating in quarterbacking a near-legendary victory in the annual Williams-Amherst football contest. He also varsity-lettered in Baseball and Wrestling, never suffering a single defeat in the latter activity.
After graduating from St. John's Law School, he entered the U.S. Army prior to the outbreak of WWII, where he served with such distinction that he was the youngest Lt. Col. in the entire Army Ordnance Division. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heading up the department that wrote the contracts for building the plants that manufactured all the ordnance used by us in the war effort. Though a young man, he was able to inspire such trust among the captains of American industry that projects of enormous scale were concluded on the basis of his word and a handshake. At the time, he oversaw a budget of over a billion dollars - an unheard-of sum in that era.
Returning to L.I., he established a private practice in Bay Shore and was joined by his brother, Judge George F.X. McInerney. Practicing for over 50 years, he represented the Blue Point Oyster Co., the Southside Hospital, and the Bay Shore Fire District. In recognition of his professional achievements he was elected President of the Suffolk County Bar Assn.
He sailed the Great South Bay his entire life, and this is how his family still pictures him: at the helm of his beloved Gil Smith 33 1/2 foot gaff-rigged wooden sloop (R-Class, originally named "Senta"). A gifted sailor, he could maneuver the gorgeous vessel at will and could go to windward with the best of them. With his children as crew, he regularly participated in the annual Race Week and won the coveted Queen of the Bay trophy. In later years and into his 90's he sailed a 31' sailboat alone, with no self-furling aids, logging over 900 nautical miles in one summer. He was also a founding member of the Sayville Yacht Club. His passion for sailing included the novel activity of ice boating, and at the age of 90 he had his last ride on his 26' Hudson River iceboat on the ice at Bellport.
A devoted husband, after his beloved wife Ellen died in 1975, he enjoyed the companionship of his sister Mary. He retired from the law at age 89.
A modest soul, clear-eyed, generous and honest to a fault, his was a life well lived. He will be sorely missed...may he rest in peace.