John Francis McMahon Jr.

***OBITUARY IS POSTED BELOW ANNOUNCEMENT*** Dear Cherished Friends and Family, We want to express our sincere appreciation to all who have offered their love and support to our family during this difficult time. As you are aware, John lived a life that had far-reaching effects on countless individuals, organizations, and communities. To ease some of the weight on our family of the unimaginable task of laying him to rest, it is our request that there be a concerted effort in honoring his life and memory. We thank everyone who wants to show their love and respect for a life well-lived and request that everything be coordinated through a single point of contact, Fire Chief David Cambareri, 239-707-4530 or cambareri@scpfd.org. John's Funeral Service is Friday, December 6, 11:00am at Hertz Arena. Thank you again for your continued thoughts and prayers for our family. The McMahon Family Obituary: John Francis McMahon Jr., a cherished individual known around the world for his kind, loving, and humorous personality, left this world on November 16, 2024, at age 69. He was born on June 9, 1955, in Oceanside, NY, at South Nassau Hospital. John was the son of Dorothy Murial Mass and John Francis McMahon Sr. He lived an amazing life filled with tremendous passion, servant leadership, and a deep love for the fire department. He graduated in 1973 from Hicksville High School on Long Island, NY. John had various hobbies, including music, eating yummy food, traveling, hockey, riding motorcycles, playing soccer, and even serving as a dedicated soccer referee in the area for many years. He was very active with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg, MD, and the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Ocala, FL. John was a second-generation firefighter; he followed in the footsteps of his father and joined the Hicksville Fire Department as a volunteer. As soon as he was able to jump on the back of a truck, he did. Open-cab trucks with the back runner and no roof were his favorite, even in winter. In 1979, he became a Suffolk County 911 dispatcher, and his love for the job only grew. His dream was to always become a paid firefighter. When the opportunity rose, he left New York and joined the Lehigh Acres Fire District, where he worked for one year. He transferred to the South Trail Fire & Rescue District, where he climbed the ladder to Deputy Chief of Operations. He retired from South Trail after 30 years. In true John McMahon fashion, he couldn’t put his helmet down and continued to volunteer as a lieutenant with Bayshore Fire District. After 7 years of retirement, he had the opportunity to work at North Collier Fire & Rescue as Assistant Chief of Operations. He worked there for 3 years and retired for a second time. He continued to teach at the North Collier Fire Training Center. Throughout his entire career, he served on the CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) Team, debriefing and counseling first responders. He had a long career doing what he loved, and he never lost his passion. Many people called him "Chief,” and others also referred to him as a fire service legend. Throughout his career, he also graduated from Edison College with an associate degree in Fire Science. With his degree, he enjoyed teaching fire recruits at FSW and Fort Myers Fire Academy. He had an incredible rapport with his students. He taught them not only to be great firefighters but to be ambassadors in their community and to come out of the academy a better person. He would have difficulty remembering all their names, so they were all dubbed "Snappaheads." Every time he would see a student in public, he would greet them wholeheartedly and be curious to know about their journey after graduation. He would often meet with students over lunch and prep them for interviews so they would have the best chance of getting hired. John was very passionate about teaching and was excellent at it. One of John’s most commendable accomplishments was his status as President and Drum Major for a bagpipe/drum band he started called Guns-n-Hoses Pipes-n-Drums of SWFL. This band is composed of first responders, veterans, and patriots. They would be available to play for any community event and/or special ceremonies for first responders and veterans. Last year, they played 161 events, and he was probably there for all of them. He had such a passion for the band, and he loved how they could brighten people's days through their music and tributes. He made incredible friendships and connections and had a determination to honor first responders in a manner worthy of their sacrifices. The band will live on in his memory, and they will continue to make a difference in the community just as John did. John was a devoted husband to his wife Lauri, which they shared 35 beautiful years together. He was a dedicated father to his three daughters Shannon, Caitlin, and Brodie, whose lives were greatly enriched with love by his presence. He loved being a grandfather to his two grandsons, Sean and Deaglan, and now joins his grandson Jameson in heaven. He has two beautiful sisters, Loretta McLaughlin and Patricia Palmer. John treasured being a godfather to Brynn Keane. John additionally has a wonderful extended family consisting of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. His departure leaves an unfillable void in their lives, yet they find comfort in the memories and everlasting love they shared. In remembrance of John’s life, the family asks that charitable donations to be made to the Guns-n-Hoses Pipes-n-Drums of SWFL, a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that John created. Donations can be sent directly to the band through the link below. Donations will be used to help members continue their presence in the community at ceremonial services, purchase and maintain necessary band equipment, and support the organization at large. As we grapple with the loss of his physical presence, we find solace in knowing that his spirit lives on through the band’s music. A memorial fund in John’s honor will be announced at a later date on behalf of the family. John would not want us to be sad and cry over his loss. He would want his tragedy to inspire us and to be the best person we can be. For fellow first responders, share his story with others. Learn and exemplify his passion and dedication to the service in whatever capacity is available. As he would say, “leave the job better than how you found it” and make a difference in every life you touch. Remember him outside of this tragic loss with the positive and fun memories you have of him. Honor him by representing what he stood for—family, selfless love for others, empathy, and making someone smile. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 11:00 am at Hertz Arena located at 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928. There will be a very large presence for the procession; if you want to join us outside to experience the vast outpour of love and respect for John, all are welcome. Guns-n-Hoses Pipes-n-Drums Donation Page: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=ucnNZubMRSiL2Bwpxiev3kryRpOsS5PMAGl3qow9rINVdCpmR4NQrdkQKXo_rkz2u1E4RADh81L88A8e&locale.x=US Arrangements are under the care of Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services located at 2325 East Mall Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901 239-274-0088 www.gendronfuneralhome.com

John Francis McMahon Jr.

June 9, 1955 - November 16, 2024