We are saddened to report the passing of a great individual who more than made his mark on our industry and our association. John Sloane, a Regional Vice President and 40-year team member at Interstate Electrical Service Corp., passed away recently after what his colleagues rightly described as a heroic battle with cancer. John had been active in ABC in many ways over many years in everything from education and training to programs and events. He recently served as a member of the State Board of Examiners of Electricians. John had scores of friends throughout ABC and the industry at large. Throughout his battle with cancer, he continued his passionate and dedicated approach to life and work, never letting it get the better of him.

The services for John were held Sept. 2nd and 3rd. Anyone who wishes to extend their condolences to the family may do so via www.keefefuneralhome.com. John’s family has requested that those wishing to make a contribution in John’s honor do so to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Attn: Contribution Services, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445. Also, ABC members can forward any cards, notes or messages to the Interstate Electrical Services Corp.’s HR Department at 70 Treble Cove Road, North Billerica, MA 01862. Interstate will make sure they are given to John’s wife and family.

Below are some excerpts from the message on John that Interstate shared with their employees. We thank Luiza Mills and Jim Alibrandi for sharing it with us, and we extend our sympathies to them, to all of John’s extended family at Interstate and to his family. The saying “they don’t make them like that anymore” certainly applies to John Sloane!

"Anyone who knows John, knows he fought right up until the end, never giving up. Even though John in the end passed from cancer, it was on his terms and therefore we feel he ultimately won in the end which is exactly how John would have wanted it to be.

John joined the IESC family 40(+) years ago. He was a man of no frills, simple pleasures and with a huge heart. His loyalty was unwavering and his talent was that of legends. For those of us who knew him well, he was funny, stubborn, brilliant, respectful, and completely amazing. Whether it was with an IESC Family member or a long standing client, John could debate better than the best of them. At the end of the day, no matter what side of the debate one ended up on with John, one thing was certain, he respected you even more.

A son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a mentor, John appreciated everyone and everything in his life. He was humbled by his strong and beautiful wife Jan (Janice) who could easily hold her own with this stoic man and whom he loved dearly. He was so proud of his IESC Family, his direct Team and his vast customer relationships. All of this made John’s heart full!

Over the last year, John was able to self-reflect often. Not a man of mushy words (as Sloaney would put it) but when he spoke, it was from the heart. His wishes up until the end were simple and admirable. His desire, first and foremost, was to fight this thing on his own terms which he did right up until the end. He also wanted to make sure his wife, daughters and grandchildren would be OK and at peace. He wanted everyone to feel the appreciation he had for them. He wanted everyone to eat good steak with lots of potatoes and to drink an ice cold beer and not take things for granted. He wanted people to feel important, loved and respected.

He also wanted to make sure his IESC Family knew they were secure. He worked hard to establish relationships both internally and externally. He also wanted to make sure that any relationships he built while at IESC would continue on together even during these odd COVID-19 times. He was happy knowing that the IESC family would remain the incredible Team it has been for another 50(+) years so that maybe someday his grandkids and great grandkids would have an opportunity to be part of such a wonderful group of people that John helped grow and mentor over the years.

For us, John will never be forgotten. His voice, his funny stories, his crazy thick head of hair, his friendship, his talent, his legacy and his unwavering commitment to our IESC family will continue on and will always remain part of our IESC foundation, our history and our future. This IESC foundation is stable because of legends like John.

Please join us in saluting John and wishing his family peace as they cherish his memory, his life and his love."