HOPEWELL JUNCTION – John Joseph Wiegard, 53, a lifelong area resident, died on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at home surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.

Born on May 24, 1963 in Poughkeepsie, John was the middle son of Dolores (Sanfilippo) Wiegard and the late Harald Wiegard, who predeceased him on July 12, 1996.
John grew up in Wappingers Falls and was a 1981 graduate of John Jay High School. John worked with his father at Wiegard and Son Plumbing and Heating, and also worked as a steamfitter for the NYS Department of Corrections.

He was a 1990 graduate of the Dutchess Community College Inaugural Police Academy. From 1990-1996, John was a police officer for the Town of East Fishkill, where he served as a firearms instructor and was a K-9 officer with his faithful partner, Gero. From 1996-2016, he was a police officer for the Town of Poughkeepsie, where he served as acting sergeant. During his career, John was the recipient of many awards and commendations, including a Life Saving Award. After 26 years of service to our community, John retired on July 20, 2016.

On January 2, 1988 at St. Denis Church in Hopewell Junction, John married Bonnie McHoul Wiegard who survives at home. He is also survived by his children, Megan Hodge and her husband Colin, Kathryn Quimby and her husband Cory, and Jacob Wiegard, all of Hopewell Junction; his grandchildren who lovingly called him “Opa”, Harper Hodge and Charlee and Miles Quimby; his mother, Dolores Wiegard of Amenia; his brothers, Harold and Kathleen Wiegard of Farmington, CT and Michael and Henry Pollinger-Wiegard of Amenia; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Douglas and Marikay McHoul of Hopewell Junction and Vieques, PR; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Peter and Lori Cassidy, John and Heather Sulca, Karl and Mary Ann Menuau, and Douglas and Stephanie McHoul; and his nieces and nephews, Daniel, David, Brian, and Jacqueline Wiegard, Mary Rose and Shaun Pollinger-Wiegard; Loretta and Josue Rosa and their son Joshua, Carolyn and Allison Cassidy, Corey and Samantha Sulca, Karl and Jadyn Menuau, and Madelyn and Nolan McHoul. John was looking forward to meeting his fourth grandchild in August.

The family would like to thank the entire community for their care and support over the last several weeks, especially the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Town of East Fishkill Police Department, Hudson Valley Hospice, especially Deanne, the East Fishkill Rescue Squad, the doctors, nurses and staff in the ED, ICU, and PCU at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, and Mobile Life Ambulance Service.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 4-8pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82 Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday at 12pm at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery.

One of John’s favorite duties as a police officer was walking the halls of Our Lady of Lourdes High School, where his children attended. Therefore, a scholarship has been established for aspiring students entering the law enforcement field. Donations may be mailed to the Officer John Wiegard Scholarship Fund, c/o OLL, 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

For memorial donations, online condolences, or driving directions, please visit John’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.

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