John Patrick Hill
October 18, 1962 - January 13, 2005
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John Patrick Hill
October 18, 1962 - January 13, 2005
Obituary
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.
77 responses to John Patrick Hill
Steve Deuel says:
January 18, 2005
John Hill was my friend.
What greater honor could a person ask? John showed me how to always look for the positive on our path of life. To have John’s smile and laughter become a part of your soul is truly a most treasured gift. I am forever a better person.
Thank you John and God bless your family.
Susan Hill Mientke says:
January 18, 2005
John grew to become such a wonderful person and loved by so many. I’m so sorry we didn’t have more time together through the years. My deepest sympathy goes out to Kathy, Conner, Sarah, Pat, Gina, Laurie, Gay, Joe, Kass and all that knew and loved him. John, you are always in my heart.
The Reid Family says:
January 18, 2005
Dearest John: You are a one-of-a-kind man and person! The best way to understand just how special, is to know your family. There is no way Kathy could love you any deeper, you were her strength. And little Sarah, our daughter’s best friend, couldn’t be a sweeter kid because she is just like her daddy. We will miss your amazing positive outlook on life. You are truly a hero!
God Bless you and your family,
Tim, Lisa, McKenna, Cassidy & Kendall Reid
Tori Clowes Plummer says:
January 18, 2005
From the earliest of childhood memories, “Uncle John” has been a part of my life. He and my dad, Chris Clowes took me in my “footsie pajamas”at 4 yrs. old!to the St. Cyprian’s carnival and sat me between the 2 of them on the craziest twirling ride and as I screamed & laughed, Uncle John cracked up! He did the same as he held my hand snow skiing for the 1stand onlytime down a hill in Big Bear, at 4yrs. old! When one of his dog’s had puppies he let me hold one & we watched Star Wars together. Til one puppy went pee all over my chest, and I got sick!John laughed @ me then,too!
He used to come to my parents house almost every weekend and usually let me paint his nails and poof-out his hair. He was at every b-day party up until age 13. He was one of the first I told I was pregnant, and still in high school.He made sure to lecture me..and yet still, came to visit when my baby came home from the hosp. He and Kathy bought my son his swing!And,he was one of the first to hear when I was pregnant again, 10yrs.later in 2003.He laughed at my silly jokes and drove me to my talent show try-outs @ LKWD High in ’88.Even though so many years had passed between us, it was all too sweet to spend time w/him at his party in ’03. He meant the world to me and my family, and I only wish my kids could grow to know him like I did. I am so glad that his pain is gone. That’s what I prayed for.I will continue to pray for Kathy, Sarah, & Connor just as Uncle John had asked us to do all these years.
Bob Siamro says:
January 19, 2005
I consider my self blessed to have known John. I met John a number of years ago as I am on the Southern California Fantasy Football League where we participated with our made up teams and had a good time jeering one another and having some good clean fun. John was the kind of guy that you liked from the moment you met him. He had a great smile and such a positive attitude. Unfortunately it wasn’t until John became ill that I got to know more about John. My first impressions of John were strengthened even further as I learned how many people he had touched during his life and how strong he felt about his family. The last time I saw John was this past August during our preseason draft. I remember telling John that the best part of the draft was seeing him back with the group. I believe that the Lord has a master plan for all of us and I would like to say that I am a better person having known John. John will always live on in my memories.
Deepest condolences,
Bob Siamro