John Andrew Joseph Sing
November 28, 1952 – November 11, 2019
John was born and lived his entire life in Omaha, Nebraska. He served in the Catholic Church at a young age, graduating from St. Cecilia Cathedral School. He attended Central High School and graduated with honors in wrestling and band from Harry A. Burke High School. John was raised with a close relationship with his father, Paul C. Sing, who had worked in multiple roles at Boys Town. Ultimately, from 1971, John followed in his father’s foot-steps and spent his life’s work in his service at Boys Town and the surrounding community.
John helped build the Fire Department and Safety Programs at Boys Town, and held the role of Fire Chief for over 40 years. He built the Fire Cadet Youth Program focusing on skill and career opportunities in fire services for Boys Town youth. At the time of John’s death, he was the longest tenured employee at Boys Town, serving a total of 48 years.
As an officer of the Tri-Mutual Aid Fire Fighters Association, John has worked closely with twenty-eight Fire and Rescue Departments in Nebraska and Iowa. John has received numerous awards for his dedication and service, earning the highest respect and reputation of a man who responds to every call for help and leads the fire/safety community with knowledge and insight, comparable to none.
John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharon (Lee) Sing; children, Jamie McCarty (Todd) and Jason Sing (Tymaree); and his grandchildren: Daniel, Colton, Caleb, Simone, Isabel, Iyla and Londyn.
John’s wisdom, grace and leadership will be missed by all who have worked with him, who have fought fires and provided first response to patients alongside him, and most of all, by his friends and family who have loved him for the good person he was. In John’s presence you feel safe and confident, and the reflection of his legacy will continue to be felt by all those who have known him.
Family will receive friends Friday, November 15th from 5pm to 7pm at Immaculate Conception-Boys Town (Dowd Chapel), 13943 Dowd Drive, followed by a VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, November 16th, 10am, Immaculate Conception-Boys Town (Dowd Chapel). In lieu of flowers, please support your local fire fighters and police officer association.
24 Comments
My deepest sympathies to Chief’s family! My heart is heavy as I try to imagine Boys Town without him.
My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Sing Family. We lost hero today for so many of us BoysTown graduates. You will be forever missed RIP John Sing.❤️🚒
Here was a man totally dedicated to the Home & to his job. His professionalism and his sense of humor were two of his many qualities that stood out to me. He cared deeply about his crew and put safety above all. I pray that his family & the Boys Town family, finds solace in his passing. Rest In Peace John!
Our condolences to the family of a great Fire Chief, leader and most of all, a friend. John Sing not only impacted my life but also my two sons. We will miss you Chief Sing.
The best years at boystown was when I was apart of the fire cadet academy that lead me to EMS career!
Thank you chief!
You will be missed and you won’t be forgotten!
My heartfelt prayer for the families that John leaves behind as he prepares Heaven for us on earth. Chief Sing started me in my career in the fire service and emergency medical service. We will be ever so grateful for the time and love Chief Sing gave to me and my fellow cadet and BTVFD firefighters.
Thank you sir for the love and guidance you gave us all. God bless you and your families. You will be missed. (BT class of ’80)
I agree with everything my brother Robert Tapio said. I graduated 1970 and might have not had a chance to know him. I just know my brother Robert knew him very well. Whooora Semper-Fi
There are not enough words to describe what John meant not only to Boys Town but to the entire fire and rescue community. I knew John since he arrived an B.T. and have always held him in highest regard. Peace be with you John and all those so near and dear to you.
My condolences to the family of a great father, grandfather and Fire Chief…My prayer to you all!
He will be greatly miss, no one can replace a person like him. My condolences to the family.
My deepest condolences to John’s family and to Boys Town. He truly lived and breathed Boys Town, he always had a smile and cheery disposition. It was an honor for me to know him. He will bee sorely missed.
He changed my life for the better and forever! He was a hero and mentor and a friend to many! When on a call with him you knew you were learning from the best! The comfort he gave his patients and his fellow firefighters and EMT’s is unexplainable. He brought calm to every situation and he will truly be missed! He was our leader! Thank you Chief!
John remained extremely disciplined and professional while being dedicated to the Boys Town mission. His support of Boys Town athletic events, his annual acclaimed fireworks show, his medical training classes, and his constant efforts for the overall safety of the Boys Town village will be greatly missed.
Chief Sing was a common thread of Boys Town to everyone that lived and worked there. I knew him for almost thirty years as a family teacher and working on the Safety Committee in administration. He was among the best of Boys Town. He epitomized safety and competence,. And he passed it on well to employees and kids alike The Independence Day celebration will never be the same. His solid presence and dry sense of humor will be missed. May you rest in peace, Chief.
May he Rest In Peace. Blessings on his family that they may always cherish the memories they hold in their hearts.
My condolences to Chief Sing’s family. Chief Sing was dedicated to the safety of all of Boys Town Home Campus staff and youth. Chief Sing always had a positive out look and attitude towards life.
Rest in Peace Chief Sing. You will be missed, and never forgotten.
My payers go out to Mr. Sing’s family and friends. Mr. Sing I asked you just not to long ago when you were going to retire>. “you said WHAT who told you I was retiring?” Nobody, was just wondering. He said “I feel great and I like what I do. Why would I retire.” Mr Sing you never retired and you will be missed here at Boys Town. RIP Mr. Sing, have a nice rest.
Boys town lost the hero but this hero will be with the other fire chiefs up in heaven. My deepest sympathy for your family and for the loss. The Merrell family will be saying prayers for John
John’s presence at Boys Town will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Like many of the young men and women of the cadet program, John had a significant impact on my life, at Boys Town and well after. Words can’t describe the enormity of his dedication to the Home and Community.
I sincerely regret that I’m unable to attend his services and celebrate his life in-person. John will be remembered not only as a great man but as one of the greatest of men.
I met John 3 years ago while working the election. I was assigned to the Boys Town Fire Station to collect ballots. John opened the door for us and chatted with my fellow ballot courier and I for several minutes stopping in and out to check and see if we needed anything through out the afternoon. After that I requested BTFS every election. John was always there to welcome me with a smile and a joke or two. That is my only interaction with him, but it was enough for me to know what a special person he was. To the Sing family, I am deeply sorry for your loss and to all of his fellow fire fighters and first responders, I am sorry as well for your loss.
My condolences and prayers for the family. Chief Sing was greatly admired. I enjoyed every encounter I had with him and greatly appreciated his ability to make me laugh. I will miss interacting with him. May you rest in peace Chief, until we meet again. May God continue to watch over your family.
My family and I are new to Boystown. We met Chief at our Pre-Service Training. Chief was pretty funny and just a great guy to learn from. We enjoyed the short time we had to meet him. Our prayers are with the family. I hope the family finds comfort in knowing how he effected the lives of others in such a positive way. Our deepest sympathies. The Youngs Boystown DC
I briefly worked at the Boys Town Police Department in 1977. Chief Sing was extremely supportive of having a female officer. Rare for those days. I always remembered his kindness, support and professionalism. During my time, there was a fire in one of the buildings and I worked the perimeter of the scene. I was truly amazed at the level of skill the Boys Town Fire Department displayed. This was due to Chief Sing’s knowledge and training for his department. I was truly saddened to hear of his death. May you rest in peace. You were truly a servant of God and Community.
My deepest condolences to John’s family. I just learned of his passing. John was a wonderful friend and co-worker. He is going to be missed. I am so happy to have known John. RIP Ken Wilkens
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