Sean M. McDonough
Sean McDonough Obituary
October 5, 1977 ~ May 1, 2026 (age 48)
Sean M. McDonough, 48, of Depauville, NY, died suddenly on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Sean was born in Ithaca, NY, on October 5, 1977, the son of Ronald and Janet (Plonus) McDonough of Bainbridge, NY. He graduated from Bainbridge-Guilford High School in 1996. After completing his military service, Sean attended SUNY Cortland.
In March 1996, Sean joined the National Guard and served until March 2004. He entered active duty with the U.S. Army in September 2002, serving in the Military Police until September 2003. In March 2007, Sean began his career with the U.S. Customs & Border Protection, working in Arizona, Maine, and finally on Wellesley Island. During his military service, he received several honors, including the Army Commendation Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.
Sean married Samantha D. Stevens on September 2, 2011, at St. Mary's Church in Houlton, ME. They had two daughters, Rory D. and Nora L., all three were the loves of his life.
A communicant of St. Mary's Church in Clayton, Sean was the current President of the Msgr. James Ruddy Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a member of the Knights of Columbus 1000 Islands Council 350. He enjoyed spending time with "his girls," the Irish step dancers, and taking them to Feis. Sean was fluent in several languages and had a passion for metal detecting. His favorite holidays were Halloween and St. Patrick's Day, which he celebrated by cooking large Irish meals for family and friends and attending the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival.
Sean’s greatest pride was being a loving and devoted father. His one goal in life was to be the best dad to his daughters, and he accomplished that each and every day.
Sean is survived by his wife, Samantha; his daughters, Rory D. and Nora L.; his parents, Ronald and Janet McDonough; his sisters, Erin (Kevin) Wehrli of Bainbridge, NY, and Kelly McDonough of Binghamton, NY; his grandmother, Helen Plonus of Norwich, NY; two nieces, Marissa Stevens and Makenna Wehrli; one nephew, Brayden Wehrli; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Calling hours will be held at St. Mary's Church in Clayton on Monday, May 11, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 12, at 11:00 am at the church, followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton. Online condolences may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sean’s memory may be made to Johnston’s School of Irish Dance or in the newly established trust for his daughters. Please mail checks to:
McDonough Girls Trust
c/o Samantha McDonough
PO Box 14
Depauville, NY 13632
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