John Joseph Macionis

John Joseph Macionis John Joseph Macionis died on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at the age of 95, at The Colonnades in Charlottesville, Virginia. Born on May 27, 1916, he grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He set his first swimming world record while at Philadelphia Central High School, and continued breaking records at Mercersburg Academy. He established himself as the best swimmer in the world at Yale University in the 1930's. He was the first person to break one of Johnny Weissmuller's world records, and won a silver medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He was chosen for the 1940 Olympic team, which did not compete due to World War II.

For over five decades, he was a top swimming official in the Northeast, officiating at high school, prep school, and college meets and championships. He received awards from numerous universities and schools acknowledging his contributions to the sport of swimming and to the lives of so many young men and women. His impact on the Philadelphia area swimming community will be remembered and honored for years to come.

In his 60's, he competed in Masters Swimming competitions, and established five masters world records. He continued to swim a mile a day until age 91.

He served during World War II as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Coast Guard, and was a successful executive in the dairy industry in the Philadelphia area. He is survived by his wife of sixty nine years, May Johnston Macionis; his sons, John Johnston Macionis and wife, Amy, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and Robert Gordon Macionis and wife, Patricia, of Charlottesville, Virginia; four grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

His family wishes to thank the staff at The Colonnades for their compassion and loving care . Donations to honor his memory may be made to The Hospice of the Piedmont, www.hopva.org.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.