John Martin Tira, Sr. (73), passed away on August 22, 2023, surrounded by his family in San Diego, California.

John was born to John and Mary (Galbraith) on July 14, 1950 in Joliet, Illinois. John grew up in Coal City, Illinois where he attended Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic School with his brothers (Jim and Ray) and sister (Marilyn), and later graduated from Coal City High School. John, along with his best friend and brother Jim, attended Illinois State University and later Lewis University College of Law. John (and Jim) then returned to Coal City where they practiced law together for nearly 40 years, and where he enjoyed lunch with Jim, Marilyn, Ray, and his parents for much of his adult life.

John is survived by his four boys, Patrick (Sarah), John (Tara), Daniel (Megan), and Michael (Kathryn), five grandchildren (Patch, Rusty, Alice, Kaia, and Claire) - and with two more grandsons set to arrive this fall, and his brother, Jim, and his sister, Marilyn. John is predeceased by his parents, John and Mary, his brother Raymond, and many other close relatives and good friends.

A lawyer by trade but a father first, John lived for his four boys. They meant everything to him, and he to them. When he was not changing diapers, coaching basketball at St. Pat's, golfing with his boys, shooting the breeze at Menards, or touring baseball stadiums across the country, he was teaching and showing them how to be good husbands and fathers. Those life lessons included the mantra that you "meet the same people going up the ladder as you do going down it," meaning that you treat everyone you meet with a warm smile, a firm handshake, and above all else, kindness and respect.

John loved a cold beer over good conversation with his friends and family - preferably an ice-cold High Life with a dash of salt. There were so many good times: playing with his kids in the Sugar Creek yard, enjoying the summers and celebrating family events at the Coal City Area Club, swimming with his sons in the Abbey Wood pool, meeting his good friend Fran Jones for pizza at Cemeno's, vacationing on the shores of St. Pete Beach, joining his sons and their friends at Richard's Bar in Chicago, and barbecuing on Patrick's backyard deck in San Diego. His boys will forever cherish all of these wonderful memories.

In his later years, John battled the effects of two strokes and advanced Parkinson's disease. While his body did not always cooperate, his spirit remained undeterred. He never lost his sense of humor and generously flashed his charming smile. John to his friends, Dad to his boys, and Nono to his grandchildren, he will be deeply missed. For a man that always said to "hit it, and hit it hard," he certainly did just that!

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses, and caretakers at St. Paul's PACE, St. Paul's Villa, and Sunset Cliffs Elder Care, and to Jim Blackburn and Julie Lanagan, Jackie Jones and John Brimble, Pat Krakar, Marilyn Hook, and Marla O'Keefe, and the many others who made regular visits to San Diego to see him or faithfully called to check in on him, and especially to Patrick, Sarah, Michael, and Kathryn, who poured their hearts and souls into our Dad's care and wellbeing after he moved to San Diego.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please take a minute to call your parents, kiss your spouse, hug your kids, and pray for your loved ones that have passed away.

Memorial Visitation will be held at 10:00 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Friday, April 5, 2024 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 215 South Kankakee Street, Coal City, IL. 60416 with Reverend Josh Miller officiating. Inurnment will follow at Braceville-Gardner Cemetery. A luncheon will be provided at the Burst Center Hall immediately following inurnment.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.ferrarifuneral.com

Ferrari Funeral Services of Coal City are entrusted with local arrangements.