Obituary of John M. MacMillan
John M. Macmillan passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Somerville. After a valiant but laborious struggle, he succumbed to complications from COPD.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, John, known as Jack, resided in Harrison, New Jersey.As a young child his family then moved to Piscataway, New Jersey in 1958 where he lived for the rest of his life.
Jack was a volunteer firefighter for many years at the New Market Volunteer Fire Department alongside his father, Martin. In February of 1983 he began a career with Emergency Management/ HazMat/Fire/Safety Department Of Veterans Affairs.
He inspected nursing homes which housed veterans under the jurisdiction of the VA for safety violations; assisted in the planning of exercises for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS); served on various federal, state and local committees relating to disaster preparedness in the NY metro area.
Jack’s ability to think clearly and take decisive action specifically in the VA setting was taken for granted by VA hierarchy but recognized broadly within the local emergency management community. Jack retired in 2014.
Throughout his life when he wasn’t working or volunteering at the firehouse, he could be found coaching rec coed youth soccer and mentoring youth as Troop Leader for the Boy Scouts of America in Piscataway.
Later, he could be found fishing for stripers, fluke, black fish and whatever was biting, sailing the Jersey coast on his favorite fishing boat, The Atlantic Star with Captain Tom Buban. And more recently, the Keyport Princess with Captain Kevin.
If he wasn’t out fishing, his days were often spent tinkering and fixing fishing reels, working in his small patio garden or cooking. After so many years cooking for his firehouse he had a passion for trying new recipes.
Jack is survived by his son Shawn MacMillan ; his sisters Rebecca MacMillan and her partner John W. Price ; and Jean MacMillan Magee, her husband Ted and their sons Robert and Ryan ; many cousins but most especially Betty Ann Sheller Sharrer, Richard and Robert Brazicki and their families.
He was predeceased by his parents, Florence in 2002 and Martin MacMillan in 2017 ; his brother Howard MacMillan in 1988 and his former wife Karen Bimble in 2004.
With his infectious personality, his caring heart and penchant for always looking on the bright side, he touched the lives of many and left us too soon. The world is a dimmer, drearier place without his smile, but guaranteed there’s a party going on in heaven.
A visitation will be held at the Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 3 PM to 7 PM.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 11 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home beginning at 10:30 AM.
Entombment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to one of two charities close to Jack’s heart. COPD Foundation copdfoundation.org or Fishing For Good Fishingforgood.org