Obituary of Frederick John Meagher

Frederick John Meagher, Binghamton attorney, died at his home on October 28, 2015 after a brief illness. He was 101 years old. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 70 years, Christine Kuhnen Meagher. He is survived by his sister, Mary Sedeuilh, of Montastruc, France. He is also survived by his eight children, Carolyn Scoville, Frederick (Linette), Joseph (Louise), all of Binghamton, NY, Christine Gill (Dan), Alexandria, VA, Maureen Mellowes (James), Boston, MA, Patricia Govern (Michael), St Louis, MO, Michael (Daniel), New York, NY, and William (Ruth), Summit, NJ. In addition, he is survived by twenty grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Frederick Meagher was born on May 19, 1914, son of Frederick Meagher and Jane O'Neil. His father was a prominent lawyer and businessman who served as District Attorney and President of the Broome County Bar Association. He graduated from Binghamton Central High School in 1932. He attended Hamilton College, graduating in 1936. He attended Albany Law School receiving his degree in 1939. His tenure as Third Ward Councilman was cut short with the onset of WWII when he was called to serve in the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. He was most proud of his FBI service and often regaled friends and family with stories of his experiences in the Bureau. He also served in the US Army Judge Advocate General Corps during the war. Mr. Meagher practiced law in Binghamton for 70 years and was an active member of the Broome County Bar Association. He was proud to have been in practice with his brother Jeff and son, Fred Jr. and that his son Joe served as Broome County Bar Association President. Mr. Meagher met his late wife Christine in 1941 at a dance at the Brackney Inn near Quaker Lake and they were married in 1942. They raised their eight children on Davis St. on Binghamton's West Side which remained his home until his death. Mr. Meagher was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying tennis, skiing, fishing and hiking whenever he could. He could often be seen, family in tow, playing tennis or skating at Rec Park or skiing at Greek Peak. He was a member of the YMCA for more than fifty years, working out daily before it became a popular practice. He valiantly took up golf at age 75. He particularly enjoyed hiking with family and friends at Chenango Valley and Otsiningo Parks. He was a regular at walking the trails with his wife even in the dead of winter. Mr. Meagher was a man of deep faith. As an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, he in sang in the choir and served as Trustee for more than fifty years. Also an active member of the Rotary Club, he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow award in his 100th year. A history buff, Mr. Meagher was proud of his family's early roots in Broome County. His grandmother came from Ireland in the mid- nineteenth century with her seven children and settled at the family farm on Brotzman Road near Chenango Bridge. The family farm was a frequent excursion for Mr. Meagher on his afternoon car rides which he enjoyed until his recent illness. His paternal grandfather served in the Civil War and upon his return built a Queen Ann style house which still exists on Front Street in Binghamton. Mr. Meagher will be greatly missed by his large family and numerous friends. He was strong willed and fiercely determined in everything he did. When asked to explain his longevity he always claimed "walking to work everyday" was the reason. The family is especially grateful to his caregivers who attended to his every need after the loss of his wife. Special thanks to Dee, Pat, Sara, Suzanne and Sister Frederica for the exceptional care of our father. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick's Church, Leroy Street, Binghamton Saturday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton Friday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Fred may be made to St. Patrick's Church Restoration Fund, 9 Leroy Street, Binghamton,NY 13905