John P. Rice '75

[F. Frederic Fouad]

John P. Rice ‘75, my beloved friend and hero, who demonstrated such courage and principle in all things and who led others with such exemplary dignity, wisdom, and composure, passed away this morning at 2 A.M.

John had been battling cancer and was receiving chemo when his condition suddenly worsened. He was, to the end and as always, completely selfless about what he faced, concerned only with his family, and maintained a deprecating sense of humor --if he had any fears, he did not show them. As always, he put others first and did not want to worry them.

I am numb at this loss and beyond words. My heart just breaks to be the one to make this news known and I am still struggling to take it in.

Details about John’s memorial service will be posted as soon as they are available.

In the meantime, our hearts and prayers go out to John’s entire family as they face this painful loss, one shared by all of us.

May John's soul rest in peace with God, to whom we look now once again for any solace that can be found.

With deepest sadness,

Ric Fouad
HIS/MHS Class of 1980

[wmottin74]

This is such sad and painful news. John was truly was a good leader and friend. His love for MHS was undeniable. I can not even begin to express my sadness over this news.

May the good Lord look over his shinning soul, and my prayers go out to his brother Dan and the entire family. We all have lost a brother.

[Sonny Jenkins]

This is truly sad indeed. John was such a great person and long time friend since we were kids at Laureldale.

His commitment to Mr. & Mrs. Hershey “Child Saving Mission” and love for MHS was undeniable. John’s service to the MHSAA and the Philly Chapter was amplified by his great leadership and courage. Not many people/alumni could walk in John’s shoes and face the enormous challenges and obstacles with such valor.

My heart goes out to his wife Patti, their children, and family.

May God Bless His Soul

[AdrianTaylor47]

I suppose only those who knew John can best express what a great loss
his passing truly is. But I know he was a brother of great integrity.
His friends and family have my heartfelt condolences.

AdrianTaylor47

[SoupCan]

My thanks to Sonny for calling me at noon and telling me of JR's passing. I am so grief stricken right now that words can't express my deep feelings of sorrow for JR, his family and his genuine commitment to our founder.

My hope is MHS will recognize the dedicated commitment made by JR through his involved support of our benefactor's mission. My prayer is that JR is now with Mr. Hershey who I'm sure is praising him for all he's done on his behalf.

As always, Ric has such a gifted way in expressing the right words of others...as he's done here for JR. Thank you.

God Bless you JR...

Lee

[Maureen Gore 87]

was the epitome of all things good about HIS/MHS. His kindness, integrity and generous spirit will be his legacy, as will all the beautiful friendships he made with alumni of all ages!!

I was blessed to have known him, we all were.

[JWB]

I'm shocked -- JR just called me a couple of weeks ago and told me that he had cancer of the salivary glands in his neck and jaw (near his tonsils). He actually joked that after his treatment, he would have to carry around a bottle of water because he would be unable to make spit.

He seemed to believe that with surgery and chemo-therapy he would fully recover.

This is such sad and unexpected news -- John was such a good guy. I am so sorry and saddened that his life has ended this way. God bless him and his family.

JWB

[Bob Chalmers]

Words cannot express my feelings , after hearing the news of John’s passing. John was a true warrior, protecting Milton Hershey and Catherine Hershey wishes called The Deed of Trust. John was a very kind person every chance John had in the last six months he would give me a simple call asking how my wife Edie was doing. I never knew John was fighting for his life also, he never said anything to me. It is so hard to believe all of this. John Rice was a good and kind leader and did everything he could to help when I was a director under his Presidency of the Milton Hershey Alumni Association. and President of the Philly Chapter.

Today we lost a beautiful human being.

May God bless his family and may John rest in peace
We love you brother

Bob Chalmers Class of 1966

[Edgewoodboy]

Unbelievable. I did not know. He was so interested in the outcome of my problems and never mentioned anything about his own needs. Well buddy, at least you know that I got Him good. God be with you and your family. You where a great inspiration to alot of us at MHS. "Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Lord help this family to remember that nothing will happen to them today that you and they together cannot handle."

[della patata]

Words cannot begin to describe the feelings of shock and sadness when I heard the news of John's untimely death.

I too had spoken with him only two weeks ago when he told me of his illness. Not wanting to make a big fuss, he didn't want many to know he was ill. He was very hopeful that he would get through the chemo and radiation therapy and that he was going to be just fine.

I worked with John on a daily basis when he was MHSAA President. I will miss his humor.

He was a man of his convictions, a stand-up guy.

The below is from The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran.

"For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance."

Dance away, John, dance away.

Mike Macchioni '74