John J. Lackovic‚ Jr. suffered a fatal heart attack on Monday‚ July 11‚ 2011‚ shortly after responding to a motor vehicle accident.

Born in Coatesville‚ he was the son of the late John J. and Rose Marie Mackey Lackovic. John was a 1969 graduate of Coatesville High School and a 1975 graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in fire protection engineering.

Throughout his life‚ John was passionately involved with various volunteer fire companies. He started his illustrious fire career at Washington Hose Company in 1968. While attending the University of Maryland‚ John served with the College Park Fire Department for five years and earned the rank of captain on Truck 12. From 1976 through 1985 John was a fire marshal with the Fire and EMS Fire Marshal’s Office in Chesterfield County‚ Virginia. There he enforced state and county fire codes and investigated fires‚ explosions‚ and hazardous materials releases. In 1985‚ John started working for fire insurance companies‚ selling insurance until 1996‚ when he moved back to Chester County‚ Pennsylvania. He joined Valley Forge Fire Company in 2001 and served as a fire police lieutenant until his death.

He loved golfing and spending time with family and friends.

He was the husband of Donna C. Poteet Lackovic‚ with whom he shared 37 years of marriage. John was a loving husband‚ father and grandfather and will be truly missed by all who knew him. Surviving‚ in addition to his wife‚ Donna‚ are a son‚ John B. Lackovic; a daughter‚ Jillian A. Lackovic; two brothers‚ Robert and James Lackovic; two sisters‚ Mary Jo Beals and Susan Bechtold; and two grandchildren‚ Ava and Nicholas.

Because of his extensive knowledge of fire science and fire behavior‚ John was often known to help young people in their path as successful firefighters. John will always be remembered for his calm composure and dealing with taxing situations with an unflappable coolness.