John H. McBride

John Hubert McBride, who retired from the Lab after 25 years of service, died April 15 at Kaiser Hospital in Hayward after a brief illness. He was 84.

McBride was born in Winchester, Mass. in November 1924 and grew up in Kentville, Nova Scotia. His grandfather was a sea captain who owned and operated several large schooners carrying cargo along the eastern seaboard. His father also was a merchant marine, so it was natural for him to become a merchant marine at the age of 16 and go to sea.

When World War II broke out, at the age of 17 he joined the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade and became a radio signalman. He fought in Italy and the Netherlands, and was wounded several times. After the war ended, he settled in Syracuse, N.Y., where he married Jean Pulling and raised three children.

In 1956, the family decided to leave the snow and head west. They settled in Hayward and later moved to Castro Valley. In 1959, McBride started working as a security officer at LLNL. He retired from the security department in 1984.

He loved to garden and was an avid hiker. In his retirement he and his wife spent much time traveling and camping. They also spent most winters snorkeling and boogie-boarding in Hawaii.

McBride is survived by his wife, Jean; daughters Vicky McBride of Prescott, Ariz.; Jacqueline McBride of Livermore; and son John W. McBride of Puerto Penasco, Mexico.