John Patrick Hill, 42 years of age, passed away January 13, 2005 after a long and courageous 3 year battle with leukemia. He died peacefully at his home in the presence of many loved ones. John was a great husband, dad, son, brother, uncle and friend to so many people. John was born October 18, 1962 and was raised in Lakewood, California. A graduate of Lakewood High School and Long Beach City College, he went onto become a Paramedic, Firefighter, Captain and Training Instructor with the Torrance Fire Department. He was a hero and teacher to many. He loved his job and his Firefighter Family so much he often said he would do his job for free. John always felt extremely rewarded in which he had a job with the opportunity of helping people every day. John lived and loved life to it’s fullest. He was always there with a smile and his sparkling blue eyes. Meeting John for the first time left others with a lasting impression of ‘What a great guy.’ This lovely, handsome man was surrounded by a wonderful family, many friends, and, of course, his brotherhood of firefighters who were there to assist him to the end. John believed that being together with family and friends was what ‘life was all about.’ He was such an outgoing person and always had something planned for family fun. John had such a great love for the outdoors. He enjoyed going camping, dirt bike riding, surfing, hiking in the mountains, and water skiing at the river, to say the least. John was never too busy for family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand. For all who knew him, they knew that if they ever needed anything, John would be the first to volunteer. John wanted to leave behind a little bit of himself in everyone he knew. Anyone who knew John has a story to tell…and more than likely a funny one! Among many of his God-given gifts, John was a natural teacher to us all and loved sharing his knowledge. He managed and coached for Rancho Mission Viejo Little League for seven years and was on the Board of Directors – Oh, how he loved being on the ball field! John’s positive attitude was one to be admired. He inspired, taught, and made all the people he encountered want to be a better person. He had a level of compassion or others that few people could only aspire to. John was someone who made everyone feel special. When you talked to John, he was genuinely interested in what you were saying, and conversation was easy and fun. His appreciation of life was very contagious and spread throughout the people who knew him. John leaves behind the love of his life and devoted wife, Kathy; his daughter Sarah, 14; his son Connor, 12; his mother Pat Hill; his sisters and brother, Laurie and Larry Lyon, Regina and Tom Anderson, Gaye Williams, Kass, Joe and Susan Hill; his niece and nephew Tricia and Dan Anderson; and, of course, his family dogs, Rudy and Sombra. John will be missed tremendously by us all, yet forever remembered and loved by his family and many, many friends. A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 21, 2005 at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in honor of John Hill to the Leukemia Research Foundation, www.leukemia-research.org or 888 558-5395. To share your condolences and memories of John, please visit www.oconnormortuary.com and select OBITUARIES.