John Edward Tracy, life-long resident of Riverdale and Kingsbridge, died on October 23, 2019 after a two-year battle with cancer.

The son of Harriet, and brother of Kevin, Jennifer and Dorothy, his childhood passion was hockey, playing for both Cardinal Hayes and St. Raymond’s High School, following the Rangers, and attending the “miracle on ice” game between the United States and Russia in 1980. He was a fixture on the hills and flats of Van Cortlandt, running four New York marathons with elite times and qualifying for the prestigious Boston Marathon in 1993. Running also introduced him to his wife Jane, whom he would he would marry in the same year along with her four children, Michael, Jacklyn, Kristen, and Patrick. The following year his son Dillon was born, and he would spend the next twenty-five years helping to raise them and his nephew John. He instilled in them his passion and hard work by sharing his love of reading, travelling endlessly to basketball tournaments, and coaching North Riverdale Baseball League for years.

He continued to explore the parks of the Bronx after his running years, hiking and bird watching up until his death. A naturalist, he established a community garden in a vacant lot in the rear of his building at Knolls Crescent, and immersed himself in the cultivation of plants.

John was an ironworker for thirty years, having a love of bridges and his brothers in local 40. He retired from the union in 2018, turning his attention to another love - the ocean, reading and his passion for fishing. But more than anything else retirement allowed him to focus on his nine grandchildren, his children, and his wife. Above all else, he will be remembered for his love of family, incredible determination, and his tremendous kindness. Cancer gave him one last opportunity to showcase his immense physical and mental strength. He passed away peacefully at Columbia Presbyterian surrounded by the family he gave so much to through the years.

Reposing Sunday 4-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave. Bronx NY.  Mass of Christian Burial Monday 10:00 am at Church of the Good Shepherd.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.