John McKee

John W. McKee Sr., 72, of Tottenville, a retired blacksmith and ironworker who enjoyed sports and was devoted to his family, died Tuesday at home.

Born and raised in Red Hook, Brooklyn, he graduated from Manual Training High School, where he was a member of the swim team, in his native borough.

In 1984, he settled in Tottenville.

Mr. McKee was an ironworker for 17 years and a member of Local 40, New York City Ironworkers. He was part of the construction team at some of the city's most famous projects, including the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Yankee Stadium and the World Trade Center, family said. He later worked as a blacksmith for the city Department of Sanitation for 27 years, retiring in 2005.

He was a member of the Bentley Boat Club and the Knights of Columbus.

A sports enthusiast, Mr. McKee enjoyed watching the New York Mets and football Giants. In his youth, he was an avid swimmer and diver, and worked as a lifeguard at city pools in Red Hook and at Rockaway Beach in Queens.

He enjoyed socializing at W's and the Aloysias Lounge in Tottenville, a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Red Hook, and spending time with his family.

I idolized my father and looked up to him, he was my hero. I will always remember his smile and the lessons that he taught me, in addition to his always making me laugh, said his son, John Jr.

Mr. McKee was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville.

Surviving, along with his son, are his wife of 44 years, the former Marguerite Kelly; a brother, James, and four sisters, Patricia Redmond and Monica, Eileen and Maureen McKee.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians Church. Arrangements include cremation.

Services: Our Lady Help of Christian's RC Church Saturday, April 18, 2015 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Friday, April 17, 2015 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Rosehill Crematory

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church