JOHN M. FIRMIN

About

McKinley Tech High School University of Maryland

FUNERAL HOME

Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West

Silver Spring, Maryland

JOHN FIRMIN Obituary

FIRMIN JOHN MONROE FIRMIN (Age 100) Peacefully departed this life on January 27, 2013. Beloved husband of Jean L. Firmin who passed away in June 2012. Father to John (Jack) Firmin of Greenbelt, MD, Joan Garcia (Arnald) of McCormick, SC, James Firmin (Linda) of Moss Point, MS, and Jeffrey Firmin (Frances) of Albany, NY. Grandad to 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. John graduated from McKinley Tech High School in 1931, where he was a long distance runner. He graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1936, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Alpha fraternity. He served in the Army in 1936/37. He worked in the building construction and estimating field in the Washington D.C. area for 37 years. Notably, he worked on the building of the Pentagon and National Gallery of Art, and many private office buildings. He was active in the community as president of two different public school PTA's. He attended Petworth, Northwest Washington, Bethany, and Montgomery Hills Baptist Churches. He was very active in those churches, and held a number of significant positions in the Church laity including Secretary and Treasurer of the D.C. Baptist Foundation where he was a member for 50 years, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Home from 1962-1992 including President for 8 years, and President of the DC Baptist Convention 1959-60. He was deeply involved in the establishment and construction of Thomas House Baptist Home on Thomas Circle and instrumental in the formation and construction of Bethany Baptist Church at 14th and Colorado Sts. He met his beloved wife Jean in the youth group at Petworth Church, and they were married for 75 years, and lived in a house in Takoma Park, MD for 71 years. As a devoted Christian, all his life he tended to and assisted people who needed comfort and help. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at Montgomery Hills Baptist Church, 9727 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 on Saturday, February 2, at 2 p.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Montgomery Hills Baptist Church. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.COM

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 31, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN FIRMIN

5 Entries

Bill Harris

February 1, 2013

John was on search committee of the Baptist Home for the Aged which hired me as Administrator in 1965. For the next 14+ years John and I worked closely on developing the first senior adult day care programs in the DC area, and on the purchase of Thomas House and remodeling it for elderly housing. John was dedicated to helping elderly people less fortunate than he. I'm thankful I was able to reminisce with visit him in his home a few weeks before his 100th birthday.

Anne and Mike Cronin

February 1, 2013

To Jeff and Fran and Family,

Thinking of all of you at this difficult time. May the Lord give you peace as he welcomes your father, father-in-law, grandfather into his heavenly home!

Love,

Anne and Mike

Tom Lightner

January 31, 2013

As much as it had been quite some time since I'd communicated with John, I'm very grateful that I got a chance to see him back in August when it came time to move his ailing sister (Elsie Beth Rutledge) from MD to her current home in Florida. The few moments that John and his sister spent together were so touching. We ended up taking pictures of the both of them prior to their tearful good-bye as I'm sure John knew it would be the last time he'd see his sister. The second gratifying moment came a few months later when I got a chance to speak with John on his latest milestone birthday which was this past Christmas Eve. I told him that as much as it was an honor to speak with my uncle on this special occasion, I also confessed that he was also the only person that I had ever talked to that lived to be 100 years old. To all my (J) cousins, Joan, Jack, Jeff and Jim, I know we haven't seen much of everyone over the years, but as much as my heart aches for you for your father's passing, I'm also envious in the fact that you were able to enjoy this wonderful man for so long.

Much love and a big “salute” to an honorable man,

Tom (T.V.) and Sharon Lightner

Deborah Jensen

January 31, 2013

I am so thankful that I "reconnected" with my Uncle John a few years ago. He was so kind to my Aunt Elsie Rutledge (his sister) and for that, I am so grateful. I saw John last August right before we moved Aunt Elsie to Florida. He was in great health and I loved seeing him and Jack that day. To my cousins Joan, Jack, Jeff and Jim, my heart aches for you. I pray that God will comfort you during these sad days. Mom and I send our love. Debbie and Janice

Margaret Faething

January 31, 2013

John was a light in so many lives and a devout Christian. He had a quiet humor about him. He will be missed. Margaret Farthing

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results