John Helmick

John Helmick

The Honorable John David Helmick, 82, of Heritage Harbour in Annapolis and formerly of Mt. Savage, died August 28 at Anne Arundel Medical Center after a prolonged illness.

He was born Nov. 22, 1927, in Manning- ton, W.Va., to the late Coy E. and Helen K. Pettite Helmick, and graduated from Mannington High School in 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served aboard the U.S.S. Rockwall, which was an observer ship at the Bikini Atoll atomic blast in the South Pacific. After serving in the Navy, he received his undergraduate degree from Fairmount State College in W.Va. and his Master's degree from West Virginia University.

Beginning his teaching career in West Virginia, he continued as an Industrial Arts teacher at Mount Savage High School for over 30 years until his retirement to Heritage Harbour in Annapolis, where he enjoyed playing tennis and golf and won medals in both tennis and volleyball at the Senior Olympics. Both he and his wife, Rosaline enjoyed boating on the waters around Annapolis. He also belonged to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary where he performed search and rescues in our local waters. John and Rosaline sponsored several midshipmen from the Naval Academy.

John loved to ride his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, which he rode across the country from Maryland to California and back in 2002. He enjoyed participating in the weekly Pete's Cycle Club rides with other members of the club. Visiting Camp Sunrise, a place for children recovering from cancer, on one of these rides, was a particular delight to him.

While in Mt. Savage, he was appointed by then Maryland Governor Spiro T. Agnew to the position of a Maryland Trial Magistrate. He was also involved in the community as a Pony League Manager and Coach and a Volunteer Firefighter.

He was an avid union activist, serving as president of the Allegany County Teachers Association and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland State Teachers Association for two full terms. He helped negotiate teachers' contracts and fought for teachers' professional rights.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Helmick of Astatula, Fla. and Robert Helmick of Cambridge, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife Rosaline Yee Helmick, whom he married in 1988; three children, John Helmick and partner Jane Gibson of Oakland, Ronald Helmick and wife Sharon of Centerville, Pa., and Rebecca Watkins and husband George of Mt. Savage; three grandsons, Andrew Watkins of Mt. Savage, Daniel Watkins of Ridgely, W.Va., and Jody Growden and wife Marci of LaVale; and one great-granddaughter, Emma.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. followed by a Remembrance Celebration service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 4 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Interment in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

There will be a room named in John's honor in the new Acute Care Pavilion of Anne Arundel Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Anne Arundel Medical Center, The Nursing Scholarship Foundation, c/o Mrs. Lisa Hillman and/or Mr. Larry Kushner, The Sajak Pavilion, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.