John J. McCormick

ROME – John J. McCormick, 82, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, at his home.John was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. He went to St. Michael’s High School and St. Francis College. Along the way he had many friends because of his captivating, friendly and loving personality. John sang professionally for many years at Catholic Church services in the New York area, and for more than 10 years at the Sunday morning Masses at St. Helena’s in Belgrade Lakes. He was also the tenor soloist for many years at the famed Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church located near the Brooklyn Academy of Music, in Brooklyn, NY. He first came to Belgrade Lakes in 1967 and since 2001 has owned his own cottage on Great Pond. He taught for over 35 years at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was loved both by the other teachers at the school and his students. He could hardly travel anywhere in Brooklyn without being recognized and approached with praise and thanksgiving by his former students. In fact, as he struggled with health issues in recent years, the New York City Fire Department had to send an ambulance to his house in Brooklyn to get him off the floor. As it happened, one of the members of the EMT unit was a former student with fond memories of John! He was chairperson of the Religion Department at Xaverian for many years. In addition, he taught as an adjunct Professor at St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y., for several years.John was well-known and loved by his friends on Mountain Drive in Rome. He loved being here in Maine. John was loved dearly by his own family, especially by Terrence McCormick who is here today and Lauren Bodkin. He was also loved dearly by the family of his dear friend of 55 years, Paul D. Molnar. Some of those family members are here today: Victoria Weiss and her son Jeremy, and Elizabeth Girouard. Paul Molnar and John were inseparable friends from the time they first encountered each other at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, N.Y., in 1966. They both earned their Master’s Degrees in Theology in 1974 at St. John’s University after having worked together at an investment bank at One Wall Street for three years. Both of them went on to Fordham where they studied Contemporary Systematic Theology. Anyone who knew John, knew him as a dedicated and fine Christian who genuinely loved others and was welcoming and open to everyone. He had a zest for life and was always optimistic and upbeat. He will be dearly missed by all.John’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 41 Western Ave., Augusta on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at 11 a.m. For those wishing to attend John’s Funeral Mass remotely please follow the livestream link http://www.stmichaelmaine.org/live-stream-st-mary-church . Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery, Wooster Hill Road, Rome.Arrangements are in the care of the Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church Street, Oakland, Maine where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.In lieu of flowers donations in John’s memory may be made to Xaverian High School7100 Shore RoadBrooklyn, NY 11209For more information click on the following link: http://www.xbhs.myschoolapp.com/page/support/ways-to-give?siteId=986