Former Metro-North Conductor McCloskey Dies at 85

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - John L. McCloskey, of Palm Bay, Fla. and formerly of New Rochelle, died Nov. 22. He was 85.

Born and raised in Maghera, County Derry in Ireland, he grew up working on the family farm. At 22, he left home to move to the United States. 

Mr. McCloskey served in the U.S. Army as a corporal, receiving an honorable discharge in 1956. He had a 43-year career as a railroad conductor on the Metro-North New Haven line, before retiring to Florida in 2000. 

Described by his family as "a man of great faith," Mr. McCloskey appreciated nature and had a passion for gardening. He enjoyed the company of his friends and family, a good movie and his roots in Ireland.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila Buckley, his daughters Kathleen (Matthew) of Dubuque, Iowa and Patricia (Joe) of Palm Bay, Maureen of Mamaroneck, his sons Daniel of New Rochelle, Sean (Denise) of New Rochelle and Seamus (Margot) of Chevy Chase, Md., and 10 grandchildren.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday at Lloyd Maxcy Beauchamp Chapel in New Rochelle, with a wake service at 8 p.m. The funeral mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Church, followed by interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Autism Research Foundation, Ladders, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118.

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