It’s been e years since he passed and I’ve been praying to him every night since it’s been rough without him. He was one of the best people I knew I looked up to him because he served in the marine corps and was chief at the oak lawn fire department. God bless. 🙏🏻

Father son Holy Spirit please god I would want to say my last goodbye because I love him and miss him he was a savior in our country he served in vieitnam and worked as a fireman to please god bring him back from, Brian

I think that he was a good grandpa dad husband I love him, from Brian

Sharon, 
My condolences to you and your family.  Wishing you peace to bring comfort and the courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

-Rachael Neuberg
(from David's)


My condolences to the entire McCastland family, especial Mike , Tim and Jeff.  I remember Mac in the stands supporting the OLHS team, rendering his coaching recommendations to the Spartan staff. And then witnessed  his character ,leadership and drive to bring the Fire service to ISO 1 rating. He took humble pride in his crew . A loving Dad,old school and a committed public servant , John McCastland ,Jr has made his father proud.
Peace and prayers for Mac and his family!
Doc


Rest easy Chief Mac!  You were a mentor, an example. You were a father figure at times and you stood up for and supported me even when my own chief did not . You said, “kid, stay the course, keep your mouth shut and you will prevail.  We have your back.”  I did prevail. 
Semper Fidelis 
To the McCastland family, I am truly sorry for your loss. My family and I pray for strength and healing hearts. 

My deepest condolences to his family, I grew up with Stacey and Tim. The entire family is just the nicest people. Chief Mac was always smiling and funny. RIP Sir, you truly will be missed.

My deepest sympathies to the McCastland family. MAC a true smoke eater who I had the privilege to call Pal. His friendship and encouragement over the years are something I will always treasure.  I am so very sorry that I will not be able to attend his services, know that your family is in our prayers.



To the McCastland family you are all in my prayers.  Mac will always be Chief Mac, a man who helped so many, listened and offered advice. Mac you will always be in my heart. A good man and a good friend. I along with many have been blessed to call you Chief but for me you will always be Friend and Brother. God bless and rest easy brother your tour of duty has been exceptional.   Love you always my brother. Jmg3 


I first met MAC when I took my first IFSI class in the early 80's and coincidentally, it was the first IFSI class MAC taught. Over the next 30 plus years,  I was fortunate to call MAC a friend and mentor.  One of the best days in my career was when I taught with MAC for the first time, I was scared _______less!  But as always, he was generous and as was always the case, I learned more than I taught.  I always looked forward to a day alongside MAC in the classroom.

Over the years as I moved up (and down) the ladder, I frequently consulted with MAC and could always count on solid advice and considered guidance.  My experience was that on more than one occasion, MAC's words of wisdom made a significant contribution  to my decision making and work performance. I'm forever in his debt.

I offer my most sincere condolences to the McCastland family and my most heartfelt thanks for sharing your beloved MAC with our fire family these many years. Godspeed friend, I will miss you.

To the Mac family

My sympathies to you all and peace in the memories. Thanks for sharing him with us for all these years. He exemplified leadership and greatness wherever he went and whomever he contacted. The lessons he taught and things that he passed on will be affecting the fire service and humanity in general for generations. He was a true gift and will be greatly missed!
 
Randy Leek

I worked for Evergreen Park and used to see Jack many times helping us out or our department going to Oak Lawn . What a great guy . He knew the job well and had great sense of humor . He will be truly missed. God Bless.✝️✝️✝️

Mac was one of the most humble, kind yet badass men I have ever met.  He was a great leader who had the ability to make you feel good about yourself and his believe in you overrode your self doubts.  The Illinois fire service has lost a great man and the earth has lost a great human being.  RIP Mac!

CHIEF " MAC " MC CASTLAND. 
CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY . FRIENDS AND FELLOW. FIRE. FIRE FIGHTERS,
CHIEF MAC WAS A LEGEND IN THE FIRE SERVICE AND A TRADITION. IN HIS. FAMILY
R. I P.   GOD BLESS
EDWIN LAMMEL
RET, EPFD
DIV, CHIEF

513 CANTABRIA DR DAVENPORT.  FLORIDA
33837

Dear McCastland family,
   My first memories of Chief Mac were swimming in your pool with my friend Randy Scholtentz. Chief was such a great man and so influential to the fire service. He had a presence that made people stand up straight and pay better attention when he entered a room. He will be greatly missed. My condolences and prayers, Dan

Firefighter. Firefighter. Firefighter. Mentor. Friend. THE BEST OF THE BEST. Loved him dearly. 

Our thoughts and prayers to the MCCASTLAND family at this difficult time, We lost a wonderful man. 
Glenn and Michelle Kosieniak 

I loved Mac. I was so fortunate to have had the benefit of spending time with him, and learning from him about more than just fire stuff. Back in 1992, Mac and the other amazing IFSI Instructors led us through F.A.S.T. class in Champaign, tearing apart an acquired 6-flat on campus. He gave personal attention to every student, sharing hard-earned tricks of the trade. At IFSI's Winter Fire School (2016, I think), Mac joined a panel of fire service experts with a collective 300+ years of fire service experience for a bonus evening tailboard talk. Mac's frank and honest sharing about the emotional and psychological aspects of working in the fire service was truly eye-opening. When I was lucky enough to start working full-time at IFSI last year, I was very excited to find myself working among these amazing people - in particular, to find the name "McCastland" on the door across the hall. Mac's visits to Champaign always caused a stir, and everyone was happy to see him. He took time to chat with me on several occasions. We talked about the war, PTSD, peer support, F.O.O.L.S., and all kinds of things. One of the most experienced guys I've known. He made his mark.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.  Chief Mac is one of the first leaders that I looked up to when I entered the fire service and has always been an influence on my career.  I am forever grateful for the time and advice that he provided.  The fire service and our world is a better place because of him.  Rest in peace Chief.

Dear McCastland family,  I want to let you know  our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mac, is a great Father, Person, and Chief,  who has made a huge impact on so many of us in the Fire Service. His biggest impact on me personally is that I could call him  my “friend”! I hope that all the great memories you have help this sad time disappear.
Sincerely, 
Dan Russell & the entire Russell family.

OBITUARY

John "Mac" McCastland, Jr.

January 29, 1943 – October 1, 2019

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

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