John Franklin Tracey

John Franklin Tracey, 67, of New Park, PA, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, September 30, 2021, at his Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Bruce Tracey's guest home, "The Cottage," in Reisterstown, MD. Born on September 14, 1954, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late John Carroll Tracey and Mildred Fay Parker Tracey.

John was a prominent Maryland musician, with a career spanning from the early 1970's to present. He began his professional career as a drummer in the show band, Freddy Paul Band. It was in this band he honed his skills as a real entertainer, performing on a unicycle and tap dancing for the audience. He then moved on to play for the popular mid 1970's band, Climbadonkey, before becoming a founding member of The Ravyns. He later moved on to play with bands Crack the Sky, Rob Fahey & the Pieces, and Barleyjuice, as well as participating in many other prestigious musical projects throughout the years, all taking him across the United States and throughout Europe.

With an avid interest in continuing education, John earned multiple and various certifications which led him to careers as a Fiber Optic Splicing Technician, Web Developer and SalesForce Consultant.

John was a lover of all animals great and small and cared for them as if they were his children. He could always be found riding about town with his dogs Mickey and JoJo and spending time at home with his cats Bolger, Anna, Finnley and Gabriella. In 2017, John established The Puppy Love Commission, a sanctuary for abused and neglected farm animals. At the end of his illness, he lovingly arranged for his goats, llama, and donkeys to be adopted into family-owned animal sanctuaries in New York and Maryland.

Surviving him are his life partner Michelle Mahon-Chau, and his siblings, Patricia Tracey, Janet Tracey, Richard Tracey, Michael Tracey and his sister-in-law Kris, and his nephews Zachary Tracey (and Lydia), Ben Tracey and his niece Natalie Tracey.

He was predeceased by his sister Carol D. Tracey Scott, and his animals Mickey, JoJo, Bolger, Anna, Dottie, and Etta.

The family will receive visitors for a memorial gathering on Saturday, October 16, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 3296 Charmil Drive, Manchester, MD.

Funeral services are private and a Celebration of Life will be held in late Spring, 2022.

Donations may be made to:
Animal Rescue Inc., 2 Heritage Farm Drive, New Freedom, PA 17349 or Gilchrist Hospice Care –https://gilchristcares.org/give/