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John Joseph McVicar

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Cardinal Hayes High School Manhattan College

FUNERAL HOME

Brooklawn Funeral Home - Rocky Hill

511 Brook Street

Rocky Hill, Connecticut

John McVicar Obituary

John Joseph McVicar, 71, of Rocky Hill, died peacefully in the arms of his loving wife of 47 years, Eileen P. (Horgan) McVicar, on Wednesday (October 8, 2003) after a long, courageous battle with leukemia. He was born in Manhattan, NY, the beloved son of the late Patrick and Catherine McVicar. Besides his wife he leaves son, John P McVicar, daughter, Brigid Stearns and husband, Kerry, daughter Colleen Kisselburgh and husband, Peter, and daughter Eileen Schnyder and husband John; several grandchildren; three sisters: Dr. Mary McVicar, Sister Catherine McVicar, and Margaret Ruckel and two brothers, Patrick McVicar and James Vicar. He was a graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School and Manhattan College both in New York City. After serving in the U.S. Army, he began his teaching career in NYC before moving to Rocky Hill to work in the Rocky Hill Public School system. As Rocky Hill s boys varsity soccer coach for 35 years, he compiled a record of 446 wins, 91 losses, and 55 ties including 26 Charter Oak Conference titles and 7 state titles. Over his coaching career he received "coach of the year" awards from: Connecticut High School Coaches Association, National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and the National High School Coaches Association. He was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001. In addition he coached varsity boys baseball and varsity boys basketball and was recreation director in Rocky Hill. As a result of his lifelong contributions to Rocky Hill athletics, the town of Rocky Hill dedicated the high school field as John McVicar Field in 1995. Mr. McVicar was part of the Inaugural class inducted into the Rocky Hill Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also president of the Rocky Hill Teachers Association for 11 years and negotiations chairman for 21 years. He had a passion for reading including American and Irish history. He was on the Board of Directors for MALC and moderated many lively round table discussions of current events. He enjoyed summers at Nauset beach in Cape Cod and Irish dancing with his wife. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church, 280 Brook Street at 10 a.m. Friends are invited to go directly to church Monday morning. Interment will follow in Rose Hill cemetery. Friends are invited to the Giuliano-Sagarino Funeral Home at BROOKLAWN, 511 Brook Street Rocky Hill, on Sunday from 2-7 p.m. Gifts in His memory may be made to the John McVicar Athletic Scholarship Fund, c/o Jessie Harrison, 119 Bailey Rd., Rocky Hill, CT, 06067.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Oct. 10, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for John McVicar

26 Entries

Bruce Duncan

November 10, 2003

Growing up in Rocky Hill, I always thought that playing for Mr. McVicar would be one of the high points of my life. Now looking back, I know that it was.

My deepest condolences to the McVicar family.

cindy ryan-gabriele

October 30, 2003

Mrs. McVicar and Family,

Take comfort in knowing that coach touched and had a major influence on so many lives. I graduated in 1970 and we dedicated our yearbook to him that year. Mr. McVicar was a true friend to all; and it didn't stop with just the kids he knew your whole family. I can remember my mother always trying to have a joke ready for him! They would try to out do each other with laughter. Know that you are all in my heart of hearts at this time of sorrow.

Billy Hall

October 26, 2003

Mrs. McVicar and Coleen:

My deepest sympathies to you. I'll always remember how Mr.McVicar encouraged me when I was saddened by my asthma. He was a kind man who influenced many, many lives. My family's prayers are with you. Take comfort in the knowledge that he is in God's grace.

Helen (Howachyn) Medearis

October 17, 2003

The McVicar Family:

Thanks Coach for all those great

victories at RHHS! You were an inspiration to many of us (Class of 1966). My deepest sympathy to your family.

Nancy Welsh

October 14, 2003

Dear Colleen,

Your father sounds like he was a truly wonderful person. He certainly left a legacy through his teaching and coaching careers and will be remembered always by those whose lives he touched. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.

Sincerely,

Nancy Welsh

george mckinnon

October 14, 2003

To The McVicar Family, My thoughts and Prayers are with you all. Coach McVicar was a great coach, teacher, and friend. I loved playing on his teams. He not only made you a better player, he also made you a better person. Coaches like John McVicar come along only once in a lifetime. It was an honor to know him and I will miss him. We are very sorry for your loss. sincerely The McKinnons

John Arcari

October 13, 2003

Mr. McVicar was a great man. In 7th and 8th grade he always inspired me to try my best. He always made me laugh when he would call me Pope John. I guess he thought I would make a good priest. Mrs. McVicar, I am sorry for your loss. God Bless.

Debra Stock

October 12, 2003

Dear Eileen and family: My heartfelt sympathies goes out to you all, and my heartfelt thanks to you all for sharing John with all of us. His life touched us for 35 years, two generations of high school students. My husband and both of our sons, were on his team.He is part of the best memories of our youth. I'll remember him with a fondness for all that was. Thank you for sharing his time and life with us. In love and sympathy, Debbie Stock

Roger Kalafut

October 12, 2003

Back in the early 60's I was in the 7th grade and the school was then called Rocky Hill Jr-Sr, High School. That is when I first met Coach. He gave me the opportunity to play baseball at the varsity level and taught me so much. Coach may you rest in peace. My sympathies to your family.

Joanne Swift

October 12, 2003

Brigid and family,

So sorry to hear about your loss.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Tom McGuire

October 11, 2003

Unforgettable. Feared. Respected. Motivator. Funny. (He could have been a stand-up comedian). Legend. Taught gym in SDJH, baseball coach, and (of course) soccer coach. He had a habit of running into shopping carts at Sam's and West Side. Full of whimsy. Don't know if this is true but the story is he convinced Mrs. McVicar to go to a screening of "Psycho" (when it was first released) telling her it was a musical. God bless you coach. Condolences to the family.

Brooklawn Funeral Home Giuliano-Sagarino Funeral Home

October 11, 2003

Our sincere sympathies for your loss.

John weaver

October 10, 2003

Mr. McVicar was a great friend of my family. So sorry to hear of his passing, May his soul rest in peace.

Ewa & Cecil Roy

October 10, 2003

Dear Eileen,

We were so sorry to hear about John, I will always remember him standing by the door giving me a hug and calling my husband the "professor". We will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow. May God hold you and give you strength during this difficult time. Love and Blessings,

Ewa and Cecil Roy

Elaine Allegretti (Tischio)

October 10, 2003

Dear Eileen (Mrs. McVicar)

I am so sorry about your loss. Even though I never had John as a teacher or coach(as many of my siblings did), seeing him this past August at the retirement breakfast has left me with an everlasting impression of a warm and caring man. I will never forget his wonderful sense of humor and the way in which he made my 2 daughters open up to him in such a short time. He had a gift for making people smile. I feel truely blessed to have been able to see him. You and your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God Bless

Elaine Allegretti

Shawn Palmer

October 10, 2003

What an amazing man! RHHS would have been a much different place if not for Coach McVicar. I called him a few years back to try and locate information about a no-hitter my brother Glenn pitched when playing for Coach in the 1960's. It had been close to 10 years since I graduated and spoke to him last, but he immediately wanted to know how my family was doing. I told him that I was hoping to get a general idea of when the game was played so I could look up the box score in The Courant's archives. He called back the next day and apologized for taking so long to get back to me. He still had his score book from the game, 30 years later! He told me "Glenn didn't just throw a no-hitter, he had a couple hits too!"

That was Coach, always helping, always teaching. When I was a student of his, he said something to me I will never forget: "I'm not teaching soccer, I'm teaching kids."

Mrs. Donna K. Catanzaro

October 10, 2003

Dear Eileen,

My heart goes out to you and the family. Working with John at Griswold Middle School made life a lot easier. He always had a smile and the best of wishes for everyone. I will miss the many hugs he gave so freely.

The Dominski Family

October 10, 2003

Our deepest symathy

Mark Laraia

October 10, 2003

I was saddened by the news of Coach's death. Besides my parents, two people influenced me during my HS years. One was Bill Haller and the other was Coach McVicar. As a coach, he was tough and demanding. As a person, he was the most caring person I knew. Before every game we would say the same prayer: "Our Lady Queen Of Victory, Pray For Us." John is now in heaven. I hope those Apostles can play defense! God Bless you Coach!

Gary Walker

October 10, 2003

To the McVicars,

Please accept my condolences on your loss. He was much more than a coach to me, one of the most respected men I have ever known.

Cecile & Roland Beauchemin

October 10, 2003

Eileen,

We are so sorry to hear of John's death. He always greeted us with the warmest smile as we entered church and was such a happy person. Please know that he is with the Lord now and in peace. We pray that the Lord will give you His strength. Remember all of the wonderful things he has done and this will help keep him close to you.

Our deepest sympathy

Cecile & Roland Beauchemin

(St. Elizabeth Seton Church)

Mary Kalencik

October 10, 2003

To the McVicar Family,

The thoughts and prayers of our entire family are with you all during this time of loss. The McVicar family touched the lives of so many people... your name is synonymous with Rocky Hill. May you find peace in knowing how many people loved and respected "Mr. McVicar."

The Kalenciks

Diahann Sibley

October 10, 2003

"Some people come into our lives and quickly leave, while some stay awhile leaving footprints on our hearts and we are never the same." Mr. McVicar impacted so many lives in a positive way--what an amazing man he was! He will forever be remembered in my heart as a positive influence. God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow and may you feel God's loving arms around you.

Scott Torello

October 10, 2003

Coach you and your wife mean alot to people in Rocky Hill you will be missed.

Tim & Denise Lewis

October 10, 2003

We were so sad to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. May God bless you and encircle you with his love and care.

Peter Delcos

October 10, 2003

I was a student of Mr. Mcvicar from 1984-1986. I can remember the last day of school in 8th grade when he hugged me and cried and wished me the best of luck as I entered Xavier High School. I am sorry for your loss, he was a great man.

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