John J Narkin III

John J. Narkin III, Battalion Chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department, veteran, family man, and friend to so many; passed away on May 27, 2025, after a long courageous battle with occupational related cancer as a fireman. Born on July 11, 1970 to John "Jack. and the late Jeanette (nee: Sillich) Narkin,Jr., has been a lifelong resident of South Philadelphia until the last few years when he spent his time at the Villages and the gulf coast area of Florida. After graduating Northeast High School in 1988, John became a man of service in the protection of others; as a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard in service to his country, and then shortly followed by service to his hometown as a first responders as a firefighter in the Philadelphia Fire Department. John's lengthy and dedicated career spanned over the course of almost 30 years and has been recognized with various awards and citations for his tireless efforts and honorable service by the city of Philadelphia. His success was driven by his love of being a fireman, which aided in his ascension to the rank of Battalion Chief in 2017. His passion for his job was equally matched in his mentoring of young cadets and fellow veteran firemen from his knowledge in the area of hazardous materials. As John served his city, he attended and graduated from Holy Family University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Safety, Community College of Philadelphia with an Associate's degree in Fire Science, and became a graduate of the National Fire Academy Hazardous Material program. His education allowed him to travel to many municipalities across the country as a consultant and instructor in the training of firefighters and the proper handling of hazardous materials. John celebrated, embraced, embodied, and exemplified everything there was about being from Philadelphia. Away from his duties as a fireman, John was a diehard philly sports fan, enjoyed traveling abroad with the love of his life, Rebessa, and was a lifelong member and participant in the Mummers parade and it's tight knit community alongside his family and friends throughout most of his life. John spent most of his years parading with the Bill McIntyre Shooting Stars fancy brigade, where he was a part of many first prize winning performances, including this year despite his health concerns he was enduring. Recently, this year Shooting Stars inducted John into their hall of fame, a well-deserved honor as a dedicated, loyal long long-standing member of their brigade. John was also instrumental in introducing the Mummers tradition to the Gulf Coast of Florida to participate in the annual Gasparilla Pirate Parade Festival in Tampa Florida where he and his fellow brigadesmen paraded for many years. An event in that had brought him as much joy as on New Year's Day in Philadelphia. John will sadly and dearly be missed by his beloved wife Rebecca McElroy Narkin and by his loving sons, Samuel Post and Barrett (Taylor) Post and proud pop to Silas and Ginny. Daniel (Stephanie) Fields who named their son Daniel John after him. Son-in-law of Frances and the late Arthur McElroy. Dearest brother to Sara and Joseph Narkin, brother-in-law of Cheryle (late Steven) Newhouse and Pat (late Michael) McElroy, and uncle of Bodie, Grant, and Becca and his best friend Steve (Linda) Van Vechten; as well as his aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends and coworkers. Relatives, friends, members of the Mummers community, and the Brothers and Sisters of the Philadelphia Fire Department are invited to John's visitation Thursday June 12, 2025 from 5-9pm and again Friday morning, June 13, 2025 from 9-11 am at the Mummers Museum, 1100 S. 2nd St. Philadelphia PA 19147. There will be a short (per John) Religious Service with Military Honors to be rendered immediately following outside the Museum. After which he will be serenaded in a New Orleans Style farewell down 2street. All are invited to come out and celebrate his life! Burial will be private (per John's request). Memorial donations in his name can be made to the Flight for Air Climb (action lung.org) a cause he championed since his diagnosis in 2018 and has helped to raise awareness as well as funds to assist others battling with these types of cancer.