Obituary of John E. McNerney

John E. McNerney aka “Jack” born at home in Camillus, New York to Charles T. McNerney and Catherine Dowd McNerney in 1930. Graduated from the former Camillus High School where he played basketball on several sectional championship teams.  He served as a staff sergeant in the 32nd Engineering battalion of the US Army Reserves. Married Frances Drew at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles in 1953. Worked on the Skaneateles Lake mail boat as teenager, Camillus Cutlery, New York Central Railroad and Dairylea before selling Chevrolet’s at Priest Chevrolet in Marcellus. Jack bought the Chevrolet dealership in Tully, NY in 1970, which is now operated by his sons and grandson.

He was a charter member of the Camillus Rotary Club, Former member of the Tully Fire Department, Citizen of the Year in Tully and started the first Tully High School Athletic Booster Club. Jack was a long time member of the Syracuse University Orange Pack, St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church and St. Leo’s Church in Tully, member of National Auto Dealers Association, New York State Auto Dealers Association. He served on the Board of Directors of National North East Region Chevrolet dealer council and Syracuse Auto Dealers Association. Jack was also a longtime member of Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach Florida where he spent his winter months the last 25 years. 

He was predeceased by mother and father, sister, Geraldine Town, brother, Charles McNerney, Jr. and sister, Maria Spencer.  Jack is survived by his wife Frances Drew, Daughters Pat (Tom) Rouse, Maureen (Pete) Flaherty, sons Michael (Janice), Daniel, John (Michele) and Mark (Donna) McNerney; Seventeen Grandchildren Megan Nicolette, Kate Mahall, Allyson McNerney, Erynn McNerney, Katelynn McNerney, Dylaney McNerney and Sydney McNerney, Tim Rouse, Patrick McNerney, Matt McNerney, Shaun Rouse, Tyler McNerney, Drew McNerney, Ryan McNerney, Connor Flaherty, Ian Flaherty and Shannon Flaherty and nine great -grandchildren.

Calling hours will be from 4PM to 7PM, Thursday, May 5th, at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 2584 Field Lane, Lafayette NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary’s of the Lake in Skaneateles, Friday, May 6th at 10 am. Burial will follow in Lake View Cemetery, Skaneateles.

Contributions in Jack’s name may be made to the Foodbank of CNY. Online condolences for his family may be left under Jack's Tribute Wall. To plant a memorial tree in an area of need in honor of Jack, or to send flowers for services, please use the Send Flowers link.