John E. Mcgiffin

John Emery McGiffin, of Auburn Township, passed away peacefully with loved ones at his side on April 7, 2024, after a sudden decline in health related to a long and valiant battle with heart disease.

John is survived by his wife, Kimberly: sons, Neil and Scott; mother, Katherine; siblings, Paula and Dale, and his canine best buddy, Forrest, who he took everywhere.

He was preceded in death by his father, William, and brother, William.

John was born at Euclid Hospital on February 9, 1957, and grew up in a loving home in Mentor, Ohio. After graduating from Mentor High school in 1975, he quickly pursued his passion for aviation, a tribute to his father who served as a decorated bomber pilot in World War II. John made a career flying Cessna Citations for Corporate Wings, Gulfstreams and Learjets for Parker Hannifin, and could identify any aircraft in the sky by its contrails.

He loved to cook, a joy he shared with his wife, was an aficionado with burgers on the grill and ribs in the smoker, and had a knack for making friends at the grocery store. He will be remembered for his encyclopedic knowledge of 60s and 70s classic rock records that he would blast at the expense of eardrums everywhere, as an unofficial Jeopardy grand champion with inexplicable knowledge of the world and history, and as a generous soul who spoiled his boys on Christmas.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be sent to the American Heart Association, 1375 East 9th Street, Suite 600, Cleveland, OH 44114; Geauga Humane Society Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, OH 44072 or Hospice of the Western Reserve, PO Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192-0002.

His life will be celebrated at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home in Willoughby on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 3:00 PM followed by a celebration of his life beginning at 3:00 P.M. .