John was more than just a coworker; he was a friend and a mentor. He always took time to support me, whether it was reviewing my white papers and blogs or sharing investment advice. I will always be greateful for his wisdom and friendship. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May they find comfort in the memories of his generosity and warmth.

We share our deepest sympathy to Johns family from the entire Cisco DC family in Asia Pacific and Japan.   We're lucky to have had John in our lives, his smile, his laugh and his great friendship.

You will be missed

I am sad to hear about the passing of my coworker, mentor and friend John.  I had the privilege to work alongside him, and in that time, I got to know a great professional and even a greater person.   

His kindness and the way he always lifted those around him, left a lasting impression on everyone  who knew him

My thoughts and prayers and with his family

My deepest condolences to John’s family. There are no words for such a great loss. John was and always  will be a very special spirit. As a colleague and as an industry partner, John was always willing to lend a hand and collaborate. He was always so thoughtful and professional, and so genuine. He is missed 🙏🏻❤️.

My deepest condolences to John’s family on this terribly sad news.   I had the pleasure of working with John at Cisco for many years and he was always a great collaborative partner who was focused and committed to success.   He will be missed.

John had a smart, fun, caring personality with an awesome sense of humor, always smiling, and one who loved laughing. I will miss the marketing flair and the distinctive viewpoint that he brought to any subject matter at hand.  Wishing lots of strength and prayers for John's family. He will be missed by all those who knew him. Take care my friend!

John thanks so much, for you being you. 

It was a pleasure to have work with you and learn from you, you were always so king and patience and willing to help. 

Thank you so much for everything and I do thank your family for sharing you with us, your co-workers. 

You are going to be dearly missed.

John was an amazing colleague who had a smile on his face.  He lent a helping hand, with his evergreen smile, wherever help was needed. 

I had the delight of attending multiple conferences with him, he was a fountain of information and insights. And he brought a great sense of humor with him. He will be missed. 

My deepest condolences to the family and his friends, you are in our prayers!🙏

John was always a pleasure to work with and always was there to provide his value an insights.  Thoughts and prayers for John and his family.

My sincerest condolences to John’s family, friends and loved ones from a fellow Cisconian that has such fond memories of John’s wisdom and professionalism.  May he rest in peace and keep the angels above enchanted with his fantastic intellect and humour. 

Warmest Regards
Angela Coronica 
Ex~Cisco  Sydney, Australia

I remember John as an always-positive, dedicated professional who led those around him with deep expertise and well-reasoned perspectives. John earned the respect of everyone around him. His memory lives on in each of us and we are better for having known him and worked together,.

There aren't enough words to convey how John positively affected his colleagues in his career.  He was a friend as well as a co-worker.  I have had several weekly meetings with John for years, and we loved talking about our families.  We loved talking about baseball and traveling.  John was a colleague I could trust to have my back and fiercely defend what he thought was right.  A bright light went out with John, but he will have a strong legacy and will not soon be forgotten by his friends in the tech world.    I'm going to miss our chats and that infectious laugh.  Rest in peace, buddy

John was a friend. Naturally, I'm going to miss working with him as he was the consummate product manager, but what I'll miss most are the times we grabbed a beer, shared a meal, and heard that unforgettable McAbel laugh. Miss you, John. Rest in peace.

I worked with John for only a few months during a brief consulting stint at Cisco but learned SO MUCH from him during that time. He was passionate about technology, passionate about teaching people about it, and passionate about connecting his colleagues to each other. I also remember him being super proud of his son for graduating from college. So very sad to hear about his passing. I wish his family peace.

We have lost a dear friend and a tremendous colleague. Over the ~15 years I worked with John I remember him to be refreshingly direct. He didn’t suffer fools or mediocrity well. Yet he was always fair and always pushing for the right things. It was a pleasure to work alongside him. More than anything I will remember his quick, dry wit and his distinctive, mirthful laugh. He will be keenly missed. My deepest condolences to his family.

I had the privilege to work with John on and off over the years. Great mind with an even greater heart. While we we 5,000+ miles apart we always kept in contact, we had our catch-up sessions and we laughed about life.  We had always fun working together, presenting at events and then we shared a beer and a long conversation fixing the world (those conversations became longer lately  :-) ) .  John had always a smile on his face, always a positive spin and a laugh.  

Nancy & Family, you know you have a friend in Berlin, you are always welcome and hope to meet you at some point, at either side of the pond.

Un abrazo

Claus

John and I worked closely together with Microsoft on Azure Stack, and it’s hard to find the right words to express my admiration for him. He was a gem—someone who consistently demonstrated incredible work ethic and a genuinely accommodating nature.

Not only was John highly skilled, but he also had exceptional business acumen that set him apart. His contributions were invaluable, and his presence made a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.

You will truly be missed, John. 

Rest in peace, my friend.

The passing of my dear friend, colleague, and mentor, John McAbel deeply saddens me. 

He was my go-to mentor and expert for Azure Stack when I started at Cisco, and his wisdom and ease with customer interactions inspired me. 

His eagerness to help others succeed and unmatched kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. John's legacy of knowledge, patience, and dedication continues to inspire us all. 

Rest in peace, dear friend. Your memory will always illuminate our paths.

With heartfelt condolences,
Silesh

John was a colleague, a friend, and a pleasure to work with. We worked closely together for nearly 10 years, even sharing a desk in San Jose for a few years. We traveled together, ate many dinners together, shared countless laughs, and the challenges of everyday life. We shared stories of our families growing up, and the pleasures and frustrations of every day life. John was just fun to be around, whether managing a work thing or hoisting a pint.

Miss you, John. Be at peace.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of our most loved Collegue John McAbel.   Please accept my deepest condolences during this challenging time. John will be missed at work.
 ....RIP John!!

Gopu from Bangalore/India

I had the chance to work with John over the last couple of years and I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a great person personally and professionally. Despite the fact we were working on different continents I always felt a close connection as he was such a friendly and warm person. Always there to support anyone who needed it. He will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to the family.

We at Cisco are deeply saddened by the loss of John. He was an inspirational colleague who shaped us with every interaction. While his presence will be profoundly missed, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy of kindness, support, and generosity will continue to inspire us.
Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Rest assured John will always be remembered with love and respect.

John, a wonderful teammate, a very supportive colleague and always focused on delivering best outcomes. He had an incredible ability to lighten up any room with his amazing sense of humor, making every meeting at work brighter. I’ll always cherish the guidance and insights he so generously shared. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

John was not just a colleague but a true friend to us, and his positive influence will be felt for years to come. Whether sharing a laugh over a coffee break, offering advice during difficult times, or simply leading by example, his presence in the workplace was a gift that made each day brighter. John’s contributions to our team went far beyond his professional expertise. Together, we built relationships, fostered a sense of unity, and leaned on each other’s shoulders during tougher times. His words of encouragement and listening ear were always there, providing comfort and strength to those who needed it most.

We will deeply miss John’s kindness, generosity, and quiet strength. Yet, we find comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched. Our hearts go out to Nancy, Ryan, and Stephanie during this incredibly difficult time, and we extend our deepest condolences to them.

Rest in peace, John. You will never be forgotten, and your spirit will continue to inspire us every day.

Ryan,

Your friends at MSB are holding you and your family in our hearts during this time of loss. Though many of us never had the privilege of meeting your father, it’s clear that his spirit and values live on in the incredible person he raised. His legacy shines brightly through you—your kindness, strength, and character are a testament to the wonderful man he was.

Please know we are here for you, always, with love and unwavering support.

With heartfelt sympathy,
Your MSB Family

John will be missed badly by me. My memories with him over the past 20+ years will ever be with me. John was a lovely, caring and fun loving human being, blessed with a caring and cheerful family. 

I pray god to give all strength to Nancy, Stephanie and Ryan. 

Ramesh Chitor
1/21/2025

OBITUARY

John Arthur McAbel

July 9, 1965 – January 16, 2025

Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary & Sunset Hills Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services