"JJ" Furnace, RIP

On Monday, July 1, at St. Michael’s Church, many of us attended the funeral of JJ Furnace (’17). The church was completely packed with his family, relatives, friends and classmates.

JJ passed away on June 22, and many of JJ’s Western classmates and their parents, especially his closest friends, were there to offer prayers and accompany the family in this difficult time.

His Obituary summed up his life:

JJ was welcomed on March 4, 2003, as the youngest member of a loud, proud, and loving family. He attended St. Thomas More Catholic School until the third grade before he attended Western Academy in House of the Water. Western Academy is a place where climbing trees and having Nerf gun wars is encouraged, which fit him to a “T”. Here, he made friends for life - Joey Davidson, Joseph Edmonds, and Matthew Saye (also known as “the Boys”).

In 2021 he graduated from Lamar High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and graduated boot camp as an Expert Marksman in May of 2022. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Deigo, California before he was stationed at the military base in Honolulu, Hawaii where he served as a Mortarman. He was then deployed to the Philippines before returning to Hawaii.

JJ enjoyed anything sports-related, but he was most passionate about football. However, thanks to Coach Monks and Coach Wolfie, rugby soon took center stage as his favorite pastime in his later years.

JJ will be missed dearly by all who knew him. His family will most miss his presence, witty humor, attention to style, and love of sharing new music.

Rest In Peace, JJ.

JJ with mom and dad Sophia and John