MOHAWK - John H. Gaherty, 79, of 5 Garden St., Mohawk, a long-time Mohawk resident, passed away Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at the Folts Homes following an extended illness. John was born May 3, 1928, in Herkimer, son of the late Henry and Helen (Ostrum) Gaherty. He attended St. Francis de Sales School and Herkimer High School. John was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a Seaman First Class. He was honorably discharged Nov. 12, 1947. On Oct. 29, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lillian J. Barger at the St. Francis de Sales rectory. They shared a loving and devoted union of almost 58 years. John was last employed as a supervisor for the NY Telephone Co., retiring in 1990 with 25 years of dedicated service. Prior to that the was the owner/operator of Gaherty's Texaco and Shell Service Stations. He was of the Roman Catholic faith. Formerly actively involved with the Mohawk Volunteer Fire Department, currently he was a member of the Mohawk Exempt Firemen's Association and ?the Fox's Den,? and a life member of the Telephone Pioneers. John was a family man whose life was centered around his loved ones and his community. Survivors include his wife, Lillian at home; four loving children, Jayne LeClair and her husband Tom of Mohawk, Barbara Korce and her husband Tom of Mohawk, Dan Gaherty and his wife Cheryl of Florida, and Sally Jasewicz of Mohawk and her companion Rob Zuranski; 10 cherished grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and his brother-in-law, Frank Zito. John was predeceased by his son, John ?Jack? C. Gaherty, and his siblings, Bill, Dick and Bob Gaherty and Mary Zito. Family and friends are invited to a graveside committal service Thursday, Oct. 25, commencing at 1 p.m. at the Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, with Sister Mary Jo Tallman, parish life director of the Blessed Sacrament Church, officiating. A gathering will be held following the committal service at the Mohawk American Legion, commencing at 2 p.m. There will be no public calling hours. Those wishing to do so may consider memorial contributions in John's name to the Mohawk Exempt Firemen's Association, c/o The Mohawk Fire Department. Donation envelopes will be available at the cemetery. All arrangements have been entrusted to the Graves-Applegate-Day Funeral Home, 48 E. Main St., Mohawk.