John McClelland (fire fighter) explained

John Eamon McClelland
Birth Name:John Eamon McClelland
Birth Date:6 June 1951
Birth Place:Newry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Death Place:Newry
Occupation:Firefighter, Deacon
Chief Fire Officer
Term:1996-2002
Predecessor:Stephen Walker
Successor:Colin Lammey
Parents:John "Jackie" McClelland, Ave Maria Cochrane

John Eamon McClelland (6 June 1951 - 6 November 2022) was a firefighter and later Deacon from Newry, Northern Ireland who served in the fire service from 1968 until his retirement in 2002 and was acting Chief Fire Officer of Northern Ireland Fire Brigade from 1996 to 2002. He also served as President of St. John's Ambulance and as the chair of governors for St' Mary's High School.[1]

Life

McClelland attended St. Colman's Abbey Primary School and then the Abbey Grammar School. He joined the fire brigade in 1968 at age 17 at the height of the troubles alongside his elder brother, Joe and his father, Jackie McClelland.[2]

He served as head of brigade training before in 1995 becoming Deputy Fire Chief. With the passing of, Stephen Walker, John was promoted to Chief Fire Officer in 1996 where he served until his retirement in 2002.[3] [4]

In 2017, John became the first permanent deacon in the Newry Parish.[5]

He died in 2022 after a battle with cancer.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Board of Governors. St Mary's, Newry. 9 January 2024.
  2. Web site: Tribute to the late Deacon John McClelland | Newry Cathedral Parish. newrycathedralparish.org. 9 January 2024.
  3. Web site: New fire chief for Northern Ireland. 17 August 1996. 9 January 2024. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  4. 2002 . NIFRS/NIFB Fire Watch . English . BBC .
  5. Web site: Former Fire Fighter is First Permanent Deacon in Newry Parish. Columba. O'Hare. 5 June 2017. Newry.ie. 9 January 2024.
  6. Web site: The death has occurred of Rev Deacon John McClelland (Newry). Staff. Member. 7 November 2022. Armagh I. 9 January 2024.