Owner Of Johnny Mac's House Of Spirits In Asbury Park Has Died

ASBURY PARK – John Rosevelt McGillion, the owner of Johnny Mac's House of Spirits in Asbury Park, has died. He was 78.

"Johnny Mac" passed away on Sunday, July 12th while surrounded by his loving wife and family, according to his obituary from the Pelham Funeral Home.

His true passion in creating Irish bars was re-awakened when he came to Asbury Park, his obituary said.

It began when John received a call from his cousin Bernie about an empty bar in Asbury Park. John and his wife, Mary Christine McCluskey, opened Johnny Mac's House of Spirits on his birthday, Aug. 16, 2010, according to his obituary.

They would subsequently fall in love with the town and adopt it as their home. John became well known in Asbury Park for both Johnny Mac's and Kim Marie's Eat 'n Drink Away, named after his late daughter Kim Marie, according to his obituary.

"His creative mind is apparent in the design of each venue, where he carefully acquired and curated an eclectic array of items on display," his obituary.

McGillion was born to Irish parents, John and Anna Fox McGillion, on August 16, 1941, in Dagenham Essex, England, according to his obituary. At 3 years old, he emigrated to the United States with his parents and two of his three sisters during World War II, aboard the converted troop ship, Mauritania.

The family spent their early years in Yorkville, Manhattan before moving to the Bronx, according to his obituary. Graduating from St. Jean Baptiste, he later attended St. Johns Prep School in Brooklyn.

During his early years, John excelled in sports and especially loved boxing, swimming and basketball, according to his obituary.

Johnny Mac proudly served as a paratrooper, completing 17 jumps in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S Infantry Division based in Okinawa, Japan and Ft. Bragg, NC, according to his obituary.

An ambitious learner, he earned his pilot license and graduated from Lehman College with a degree in accounting, according to his obituary. He passed his love of learning to his children.

John was a lifetime member of NYAC and enjoyed many hobbies including bridge, listening to history audios, playing the organ, and boxing, according to his obituary.

John got his start with a paper route and later as a taxi driver. He opened his first bar, The Bull n Bush, with Joe Mullins in 1968, according to his obituary. It was during this time he raised four children with former wife Gail O'Brien, in the Bronx, before moving to Bronxville in 1978.

John married Mary Christine McCluskey of Co. Galway, Ireland, his friend and colleague of many years on April 6, 2009 and lived in Pelham, NY.

He was co- founder of the Asbury Park St. Patrick's Day Parade and saved the Asbury Park Zombie Walk. John was known as a philanthropist in Asbury Park and an early investor in its redevelopment, according to his obituary.

A Celebration of Johnny Macs life was held at "Johnny Macs House of Spirits" located at 208 Main Street, Asbury Park, In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Johnny Macs name to "Asbury Park Boys and Girls Club" or "Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church" in Asbury Park.

For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com