Saratoga Springs, NY - John R. "Gumps" Desidoro, of East Avenue, passed away Tuesday (Sept. 29, 2009) at Saratoga Hospital. He was 86. Born on June 21, 1923 in Saratoga Springs, NY, he was a son of the late Anthony and Jean (Parillo) Desidoro and was a lifelong resident of Saratoga. A 1942 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, John was the captain of the varisty basketball team and a member of the football team. On Jan. 25, 1943, he enlisted in the US Army and served during World War II and completed military training at Tank School in Flint, Michigan. He participated in action with the 212 Ordinance Company, and battled at the Invasion of Luzon. During his commission, he received numerous awards, including the Good Conduct Medal. Upon returning from the war, John played semi-pro basketball for the Saratoga Spa Vets. John worked as a sales representative for Marvin Millwork from 1949 to 1981 and upon retiring from Marvin Millwork, he worked as a consultant to the local building industry at Woodbury Lumber. John retired from Woodbury Lumber in 1996 following 13 years of service. He then went on to work for NYRA as a pari-mutual and admissions clerk. An avid golfer and card player, in the fall he loved to hunt for wild mushrooms and enjoyed driving to Vermont to see the fall foliage. A member of St. Clements Roman Catholic Church, he was a lifelong member of International Order of Hoo Hoo Fraternal Lumber Association and the Empire State Lumbermans Salesmen Association. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Anthony F. and Andrew J. Desidoro and two sisters, Claire Bowie and Angela Tarantino. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Te Te (Santos) Desidoro, whom he married on September 12, 1948; two sons; J. Michael Desidoro and his wife JoAnne Desidoro, of Westbury, NY, and Gregory S. Desidoro and his long-term partner, Molly E. Rosenthal, of Saratoga Springs; four grandchildren, Mikaela, Alex, Aundraea and Stephanie. He is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 6pm Sunday (Oct. 4, 2009) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (584-5373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30am Monday in St. Clements Church, 231 Lake Avenue. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Peters Cemetery, West Avenue. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.