Police Chief: Volunteer Is 'A Pillar Of The Community'

When Manchester Township has needed something, resident John McGuire has always been there to lend a hand.

Whether it’s been helping the Manchester Little League, volunteering with the township’s Municipal Alliance or raising money for a vareity of organizations, McGuire has repeatedly stepped up.

“John has been a pillar of the community for more than 20 years,” Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said. “He’s always looking for ways to help out, whether that means offering his time to mentor children or donating funds to help purchase equipment that keeps our police officers safe.”

McGuire, a retired elevator mechanic who worked in New York City, began his decades of service assisting the Manchester Little League in the 1980s, helping to secure better playing fields and snack bars for the organization.

Though he commuted from Manchester to New York City for many years, McGuire said he has always enjoyed living in Manchester and never thought about moving closer to his job.

He has been actively involved with the Manchester Township Police Department, the Police Athletic League, the Municipal Alliance and school district. He has assisted with many fundraisers for the police over the last nine years, and made a number of donations, including bullet-resistant vests, a wet suit, a bugle for the Police Honor Guard, and countless supplies used to aid law enforcement riders during the annual Police Unity Tour.

“Whatever I could do, I’d try to do,” McGuire said. “I feel good when I go home at the end of the day after doing something for the community.”

McGuire also helps Manchester PBA 246 with the organization’s annual Golf Outing, which is scheduled this year for May 4, and gives his time to the annual Penguin Plunge, which raises money for the Regional Day School.

He also founded a scholarship to benefit a high school senior in memory of his late son, and serves as a mentor to three students at Manchester Township Elementary School.

“I just love working with kids,” he said. “If you want to stay young, work with the kindergarteners to fifth-graders.”

His granddaughter, Tess, a sixth-grade student at Manchester Middle School, has followed his lead and has been active in the community. Before the Manchester Township Police formed its K-9 unit tin January, Tess, a dog lover, worked to raise funds to purchase a vest for Brick Township’s police dog.

She also worked to raise $500 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

“John is a great guy who does whatever he can for not only the Manchester Township Police and PBA 246, but for the township and especially the children. He’s very humble and will never seek out recognition for his good deeds. Without his support, many important programs wouldn’t thrive as they do today,” said PBA 246 President Paul Bachovchin, who has worked closely with McGuire for many years.

(Patrolman Douglas Higgins, John McGuire and Officer Paul Bachovchin present a donation to Regional Day School Transition Coordinator Renee Agro during a recent visit to the school. Credit: Manchester Township Police)