John P. McCloy, MD, was a retired family physician who treated thousands of Long Islanders in the Levittown, Hicksville and Bethpage vicinity. He was 87.
World War II interrupted his college studies. He served in the U.S. Navy and saw action at Einiwetok, Guam and IwoJima. After the Japanese surrendered, he was transferred to Youkowski Harbor in Japan to decommission ships. Upon his return, he completed his medical training at New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital and Morrisania Hospital. He began his private practice in Levittown. He eventually moved to a larger office located on Old Country Road in Hicksville. He was affiliated with both Central General and Mid-Island Hospitals (now LIJ Plainview and St. Joseph’s Hospitals). During his tenure at Mid-Island Hospital, he served as one of the presidents of the medical staff there.
Doctor McCloy typified the Long Island family physician, handling everything from diagnosis to surgeries. He performed tonsillectomies, appendectomies and delivered hundreds of babies, many of whom grew up and eventually brought their own children to him for their medical needs.
As busy as he was in his office, he always found time to provide “house calls” to patients. He was famous for telling a different joke each time a patient would visit, leaving them with a chuckle at the end of their appointment. When he retired in 2000, hundreds of his patients surprised him with a party to thank him for his 48 years of service.
Survived by his wife of 62 years, Rosemarie, along with eight children and eight grandchildren, he is fondly remembered by family, patients and friends.
Dr. McCloy was buried at Calverton Cemetery with military honors.
