Obituary of John Harney

John J. Harney Age 69, of Ridgebury, PA, passed peacefully at home, with his family surrounding him, on Friday, March 26, 2010, after battling cancer. John was born November 20, 1940, the son of Edward and Helen (King) Harney. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Barbara Bauer Harney; children, Sean P. Harney, with wife Cindy Bonham Harney of Lowville, NY, and their children, Meghan, Patrick, and Daniel; daughter Kathleen A. Harney-Clinton, with husband Jeffrey Clinton of Desert Hot Springs, CA; Kevin M. Harney, with wife Stephanie Clearwater Harney, of Hilton, NY, and their children, Sonia and Aidan John; and son Dennis B. Harney of Philadelphia, PA. John was a 1958 graduate of Mepham High School in Bellmore, NY and subsequently attended SUNY Farmingdale. He served bravely in the Fire Department of New York for 17 years, retiring as Lieutenant, while at the same time volunteering with the North Merrick Fire Department. John strived for excellence in fire training and served as an instructor at the Nassau County Fire Training Center. Soon after relocating his family to a country homestead in the Irish Hills of Ridgebury from the suburbs of New York City, John became immersed in environmental and citizen activism through his work with B-CAUSE, PURE, and RULE. He believed strongly in education and was proud of his children's Catholic education at Notre Dame High School, and their further educational progress in advanced degrees. Proud of his Irish heritage, John maintained dual citizenship with the United States and Ireland, traveled to Ireland frequently, and was an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians - Msgr. John J. Lee Division, where he had served as President. John was very gifted with his hands and excelled in carpentry, woodworking, plumbing, and electric. He was a perfectionist; persistent and dedicated to hard work. John studied history, politics, and current affairs. But most importantly he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, finding a soft spot in his heart through his grandchildren, and his son and two grandsons share his name. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of Water and Walnut Sts., Elmira, NY, on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ridgebury, PA. Interment will follow at the church's cemetery. All are invited to the family home for a reception following the services. In lieu of gifts or flowers, those wishing to remember John may donate to Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904, or Memorial Hospital Hospice, 1 Hospital Drive, Towanda, PA 18848. Officers and members of the AOH- Msgr. John J. Lee Division will meet at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 7:45 p.m. to conduct a prayer service for our brother John. Signed Tom Corcoran President