John "Jack" Joseph Desmond

John Joseph Desmond “Jack”, age 74, of Clermont, FL, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 4, 2025, in Jacksonville, FL from complications following his battle for the past year with CMML (Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia) with his wife and daughter by his side.

Jack was born on June 7, 1951 in Wilmington, DE to the late William and Rita Desmond of the Forty Acres. He went to St. Ann’s Grade School, Salesianum, Wilmington High and Delaware Technical & Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Police Science. He was a member of the Army National Guard with six years of service. He also attended the FBI National Academy, 139th session in 1984 and numerous training schools and seminars related to management supervision, and other specialized police related topics.

He joined the Wilmington Department of Police in 1970 in which he had an exemplary career until his retirement as Captain in 1992. He received numerous awards such as the Kiwanis Police Officer of the Quarter in 1975 followed by the Kiwanis Police Officer of the Year in 1975, numerous Departmental Commendations, letters of Commendations from citizens and agencies and several resolutions by the Wilmington City Council.

Upon retirement from the police department, he was employed by MBNA (Bank of America) retiring in 2005 as Senior Vice President. As he always stated, he was too young to retire at 53, he began his third career with the State of Delaware in various departments.

He was a member of the FBI National Academy Alumni Association, Delaware Association of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Past President of Local Lodge 1, State Secretary and Vice President, Past Chairman of American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Delaware Crime Stoppers Board Member for 15 years until his move to Florida; and a volunteer for the Special Olympics.

Jack was proud that in his younger years he ran three Marine Corp marathons, one Pittsburgh marathon, numerous half marathons and other running events. After his third retirement and move to Florida, he enjoyed playing golf in several leagues. He always loved sports and rooting for his favorite teams: Notre Dame, Phillies and Eagles. He loved to travel especially cruising having completed his seventieth cruise in February; and in June of 2024, he completed traveling to the last of the fifty states with his grandson, Michael.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Roseann (DeCampli); his daughter, Angela Klim, and her husband Gregory; his three grandchildren, Michael, USAF, Sophia and Aiden; sister, Fran Horowitz (Carl); brother, Thomas (Alcira); sisters-in-law, Patricia Desmond, Carolyne Piel (William), Rosemarie McGlory (Kevin); Brother-in-law, Randy DeCampli (Mary Jo),their children Randy Jr. (Brooke), Mary Kay, and Diana Ruffin (Khali); and his nieces and nephews, Tammy, Tim, LeaAnn, Denise, Dan, Christina, Neil, Donna, Michael, Alex, Christine, Amy, Annemarie, Dan and Andrea.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, W. James Desmond; his in-laws, Earl and Rose Mason, and Philip Mason (Patricia).

A special thank you to the Doctors and staff at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL, Mayo Cancer Clinic in Jacksonville, FL and his devoted friends who called/texted every day and came to see him weekly for the last eight months: Francis & Joanna Coppol and Tom & Cheryl Penoza; forever we are grateful for your love and support.

Visitation will be held at the Doherty Funeral Home 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 on Friday December 12, 2025 from 5-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions be made in his memory to your favorite charity.

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