John Beveridge Mair - Cremation Society of Virginia

John Beveridge Mair

Date of Death: May 4, 2021

John Beveridge Mair, born in Washington DC on June 25, 1941, passed away May 4, 2021. He is survived by his loving family- Madeline, dedicated wife of 48 years, daughters April and Rachel, sons-in-law David Garst and Clay Everett, and his four grandchildren Alex, Gabby, Ben, and Andrew. He is predeceased by his sister and brother, Sally Flynn and Robert Mair.

John graduated class of 1960 from Wilkinsburg High School in Pittsburgh and then received his bachelors in Business from Franklin and Marshall College. After college, he served his country as an aviation navigator in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was married in Pittsburgh in 1972 and moved to West Hartford, Connecticut working as Senior Asset Manager for CIGNA. In 1981, the family moved to Virginia Beach where he worked for Goodman Segar Hogan, acquiring and developing office buildings. After that, he began his own commercial real estate investment company, developing and managing several commercial real estate properties throughout Hampton Roads. He enjoyed being his own boss and taking on real estate projects, and would often enjoy driving around and taking photos of land and buildings. In his interaction with employees and tenants, he always looked out for those trying to make their way in the world.

In 2007, he moved with his wife to Norfolk, VA, where he had spent 3 years building the home in which he lived until his death. He cared deeply for his community, was active in the civic league and various political action groups, always striving to impact others for the better. He volunteered at the local red cross blood bank and donated to the local elementary school, and various charities.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, swimming in the Bay, growing tomatoes, and spending time with his grandchildren. He never turned away from a big challenge and jumped into everything with both feet. He did not take no for an answer and worked hard to make his dreams a reality. Beyond his real estate business and building his own home, he would undertake large spur-of-the-moment dream projects such as the purchase of a 43 foot used sailboat, even though he was not a sailor which provided him and family with much entertainment and excitement. He enjoyed living life to the fullest with his family and traveled all over the world with them, having big adventures in Alaska, Africa, Sri Lanka, Italy, Russia, Scotland, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Turkey, China, and other domestic trips. He was an avid ODU sports fan, with season tickets for football and mens’ and womens’ basketball. He remained a fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams. He passed peacefully on his own terms 79 years young, at home enjoying his last view of the Chesapeake Bay. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://fundraise.foodbankonline.org/johnmair or Boy Scouts of America Tidewater

A memorial service will be held at Norfolk botanical gardens in the Rose Garden Hall at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 29.

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My Deepest Sympathy to Mr. Johns Family. He was a good Business man as well as a Gentleman with a good heart.,May he rest in peace.

Margel and I want to offer our sincerest condolences to Madeline and your family. We very much enjoyed our monthly get together to catch up on family goings on and to slaughter that game called bridge. We'll miss you John and May you Rest In Peace.

Madeline, I am with East Beach neighbors and just wanted to pass along our deepest and most sincere condolences with the hope and belief that John is already "fishing" with the Lord and his fishermen on the heavenly beaches with no more pain or suffering...If there is ever anything we as neighbors can do, please feel to reach out. We were honored many times with your husbands generosity and are happy to return his grace.

Madeline, I am so sorry to hear this. Please know that I am thinking about you and your family.

My Condolences to the Mair family.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My Uncle John lived so big! I have admired him and loved him from my earliest memories. He stood up for me, made me laugh, and helped me see through his own example that I could make much more out of life than the box others wanted to put me in. He was a wonderful mixture of compassion and bull-headedness. I will miss Uncle John deeply, and am grateful for the sense of him that lives on through his family.

Dear Madeline, We were sad to hear the news of John's passing. Although we weren't able to speak often, each time we saw John we so much enjoyed our conversations with him. He was so committed to yourself and his family. I know the happy memories of the life you shared together will help you through this very difficult time. Please accept our sincere condolences. Love, Vince and Pearl Tedesco

The COVA Brewing Company family was saddened to hear about the passing of John. He was a big part of the Ocean View community and was instrumental in the initial establishment of COVA Brewing by working with us to acquire the property in Ocean View. John showed us much grace and favor throughout the financing and real estate closing process. We are grateful to have known and worked with John. He will be missed. We send our heartfelt condolences.

Dear Madeline, April and Rachel, We are sorry to hear of John’s passing; we continue to cherish the good memories from the time when you-all were next door. We send you our sincere condolences. May he RIP. Bassam and Nada

Madeline, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of John. I was so awed at the home you and he built on the bay. I know you will have many beautiful memories of the times you spent together. Fondly, Debie Johnson, former School Nurse, Pembroke Meadows Elementary School.

Our warmest condolences to you all in Johns passing. May all the wonderful memories you have shared give you comfort during this difficult time Love , your Canadian cousins , Mary and family. ????

Uncle John, the night before you passed I had a list of things I wanted to thank you for, so I guess here is as good as any - as I thought I'd have more time to share with you.. 1.) Thank you for putting up the railing for my dad on the stairwell, when he first came home from the hospital as he was trying to move about the house... 2.) Thank you for visiting after Evelynn was born and helping me get Home Depot to take back the refrigerator we bought that really was too big and didn't fit in our kitchen, you knew how to speak to the manager, it was so helpful, and I felt like I had a strong team member :-) 3.) Thanks for the pasta lunch back in the city of Rome years ago, even IF you were hastily moving through the amazing Sistine Chapel and had the museum security on edge, we called them 'professional shushers' they kept shushing you to be more quiet. Hahah, it was one of my most memorable moments in Rome. It always makes me laugh. 4.) Thank you for the memorable times on your sail boat, there was always something to do, and I'll never forget getting sea sick after going crabbing. 5.) Thanks for being there and always making the trip to Pittsburgh, these many times over the years. It was a joy to be able to come down to Virginia Beach in my summers as a pre-teen to teenager and hang out eating ice cream and watching gulf with you on the couch :-) Your strong presence will be missed, Love your niece Luci

We will miss you Uncle John. ? ?

This world is going to be more dull without John stirring things up! You will be missed, John. So many memories....

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.