John G. McGorty

John McGorty, 73, of Los Angeles, CA, passed away peacefully listening to his favorite oldies music and surrounded by loved ones on October 25, 2023, after battling a long illness. John was born on February 28, 1950, to John and Mary McGorty in Weehawken, NJ. He was the oldest of seven children who helped raise each other after the tragic death of their parents when he was 18 years old. John attended St. Augustine's Grammar School in Union City, NJ, St. Joseph’s High School in West New York, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Montclair State University.

In 1974, John became the youngest elected Weehawken Board of Education member. John also volunteered as a Little League coach. He worked on the Hoboken Shore Railroad with his father before finding his true passion as a firefighter with the Weehawken Fire Department. He was a proud member of the New Jersey State FMBA Local 26. After his firefighting career ended due to a line-of-duty injury, John founded Super Signs & Banners in Ramsey, NJ. As a small business owner, he was very involved in community leadership. John served on the Board of Directors of the Mahwah Chamber of Commerce. He volunteered for and later became the Deputy Coordinator of the Mahwah Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT). During this time, John also served his community as a volunteer for the Office of Emergency Management in Mahwah. After his retirement in 2013, John and his wife, Sandy, relocated to Los Angeles. While making his new home in California, John continued his life of service by becoming a volunteer responder for the L.A. Mayor’s Crisis Response Team (CRT), which he truly loved.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy, his Earth Angel of 40 years; his three children: daughter Lauren McGorty (partner Jason Schilling), stepdaughter Genna Rosenberg (husband Daniel Rosenberg); and stepson Perry Goldberg (partner Myra Lerma). John is also survived by his siblings, brothers Brian McGorty (wife Lorri) and Thomas McGorty (wife Margaret), and sisters Mary McGorty Costa (husband Sonny Costa) and Karen McGorty. He is predeceased by his brother, Kerry Joe, and sister, Debby. John leaves behind four cherished grandchildren, Logan and Mallory Goldberg, and Leni and Brayden Rosenberg, who were the sunshine of his life, as well as his loved nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a wake to celebrate John’s life on Monday, October 30th, from 5pm to 8pm, in the Chapel at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Praiswater Mortuary at 6909 Canoga Avenue, Canoga Park, CA. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 31, at 11am Pacific/ 2pm Eastern at St. Mel’s Catholic Church at 20870 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA.

There will be a live stream of the mass at www.bit.ly/StMelTV.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in John’s name to:

Where Angels Play Foundation

Rest in Peace, John. We all love and miss you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gateskingsleygates.com for the McGorty family.