John Martin McHale, Jr., age 81, of Frederick, MD – John, Dad and Pop to his loving family and many friends – passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 11, after a long illness, surrounded by his wife, sons and daughters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary McHale (Campbell), and father, John Martin McHale, Sr.; his sisters, Peggy, Mary Ann, Dorothea, and Ginny; his brother, Peter, and his beloved nephew, Peter, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rita (Volpe); and their sons, John Martin McHale III and his wife Meghan of Waltham, Massachusetts; and Tom McHale, Sr. and his wife Jeanette of Kensington, Maryland; three grandchildren, Tommy, Patrick, and Maggie; his nieces, Sharon Cowher and Christine Frank; and his nephews, John, Michael, Dan McHale, and Robert De Lissio; and numerous cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-grandnieces.
John McHale Jr. was a beloved husband, father, uncle, cousin, brother and friend. He was a rock to many, a comfort to those who suffered and a positive influence to those he taught. He had your back. And no matter what, he prayed for you.
At his best, Dad was a role model, mentoring young people, coaching CYO basketball teams, and helping those in need. His career was marked by service activities. After college at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, John took a job as a teacher and guidance counselor at Bishop Eustace High School in New Jersey. At the other end of his working years, he retired from Woods Services, an organization dedicated to providing residential care for the mentally handicapped. John loved this job more than any other because it helped those who could not help themselves. He was quite proud of the work Woods did for many, many people you will never hear about.
His loves in life were his family, his faith and his music. Family was everything. Papa/Pop rarely missed a basketball, baseball or football game, a rugby match or a field hockey tournament. John’s children and grandchildren had no bigger fan. A former teacher with an MA from Villanova University, his best lessons were the examples he set by sacrificing himself for family and friends and showing kindness to those in need.
John’s strong tenor voice made him a soloist in the St. Joseph’s University Choral Society. He loved musical theater and often sang all day. But Irish music was his passion. John hit the difficult notes of songs like “Danny Boy” perfectly. His favorite pastime was singing Irish music to and with friends. Fittingly, his favorite Irish song, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” accompanied him at the moment he died.
He was our father, but to so many others he was a friend, a surrogate parent, coach, leader, mentor, amateur woodworker, flower planter, golfer, party host, lover of John Wayne movies, Philadelphia sports fan, supporter of the Big 5 basketball team, and devout Catholic.
We invite you all to share pictures or memories. It was his wish that we laugh, reminisce and smile together during this time.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 17th at 12 noon at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 4103 Prices Distillery Road, Ijamsville, Maryland. The viewing will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Ignatius. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to Camilla Hall, Convent and Health Center of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Please visit
