John J. McKinnon, 80, passed away at the Chelsea Soldiers Home on March 21st, 2009. He was born on May 6th, 1928 to his parents William H. and Elizabeth (McCarthy) McKinnon. John was born and raised in Somerville, graduating from St. Clements Grammar School and St. Clements High School. He has been a resident of Medford for the past 44 years. From 1960 to 1990, John was a firefighter for the City of Medford, attaining the rank of Lieutenant in 1976. He served at the Riverside Station, Engine 4 for many years and retired from the Fulton Heights Station, Engine 6. John was a Veteran of the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion in Medford, the VFW in Somerville and the Irish American in Malden. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor G. (Kiley) McKinnon of Medford; by his children, Elizabeth Finnegan and her husband Ken of Billerica, Jack McKinnon and his wife Maria “Riza” of Methuen; Maryellen Tagliatela and her husband David of East Derry, NH and Kathleen Comeau and her husband Louie of Wakefield; by his grandchildren, Conor, Nicole, Brendan, Joseph, Anthony, Alexis, Grace and Ryan; and by his brothers, William McKinnon of California, James McKinnon of Harwich and Leo McKinnon of Newton. Along with his parents, John was predeceased by his brother Robert McKinnon. Relatives & friends are invited to attend his funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Friday March 27th at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Medford at 10 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Thursday March 26th from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.