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Obituaries

John Degen of Southampton Dies at 87

Degen dies after battle with Parkinson's disease.

John Degen of Southampton died Friday at after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 87.

The following obituary was prepared by Degen's family and provided by O'Connell Funeral Home in Southampton Village:

Degen was a loyal and faithful servant of the Roman Catholic Church and lived his life as Jesus wanted him to live. He was always kind, fair and generous to all that met him and to many more that never knew him at all.

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He was born on Jan. 26, 1924 in Düsseldorf Germany. When Degen was 3 years old, his mother, Margaret, and father, Herman Degen, came to the United States on Palm Sunday and settled in Huntington.

He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed on the submarine chaser PC 798 patrolling along the West Coast.

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After the war, Degen settled in Huntington and founded Huntington Welding. He married Marie Teresa Pipolo on May 1, 1953.  In 1964, John and family moved to Southampton and founded Southampton Welding and Iron Works. He was a member of the , the Long Island Antique Power Association and the Long Island Railroad museum. He was a “Golden Spike” member of the Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association.

Antique engines big and small were his passion and he worked tirelessly toward those ends. Many of his restorations were highlights in the annual Southampton Fourth of July parade and several of his antique restorations now reside in several museums. Degen and his wife founded Birthright of Peconic in Southampton and devoted their lives to helping the poor and protecting our most vulnerable: the unborn. He was a devoted supporter of Covenant House of NY for children in need. He was a member of and served for many years as financial and parish council member. Degen, along with his wife, was a strong supporter of where he gave generously of his time and resources.

Degen is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marie, and four children, Patricia Ann, Margaret Marie Donohoe, Ann Marie Koleoglou and John Vincent Degen. He is also survived by six grandchildren and three great grand children.

Viewing will be on Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at on Little Plains Road, Southampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Poland Roman Catholic Church, Maple Street, Southampton.  Following the mass, burial services will take place at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Huntington. There will be a Life Celebration for John on May 1 between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Degen home, where all are welcome.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Birthright of Peconic, 99 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946, or Covenant House New York, 460 West 41st Street, New York, NY 10036.

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