John J. McGuinness III

Visitation for John Joseph McGuinness III, 69, of Kildeer, will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 10:00a.m. until the time of Holy Mass at 11:00a.m. at St Alphonsus Liguori at 411 N. Wheeling Road in Prospect Heights. The burial will be private.

John was a devoted husband, father, and tireless advocate for recovery, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2026, at the age of 69. Born in Coral Gables, Florida, to Clarice Craig and John McGuinness II, John’s life was defined by a deep-seated compassion for those navigating addiction and mental illness.

Having celebrated over 38 years of personal recovery, John turned his own experiences into a lifeline for others. In 1995, he founded Families and Adolescents in Recovery (FAIR), a program born from his belief that treatment should not only focus on abstinence but on the healing of the entire family unit. For 25 years, he led a community rooted in growth, accountability, and "sober fun." He put his whole life into saving teens and young adults from addiction. Never being one to do careless work, he truly lived what he preached, requiring from his patients only as much as he could do himself. If he asked a patient to learn to forgive, then he made himself do the same.

An educator and expert, John held a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northeastern University and was a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Board Registered Co-Occurring Disorder professional. He shared his expertise through public speaking and was featured in the documentary The Other Side of Cannabis, always seeking to educate the next generation.

Outside of his professional life, John was an avid cyclist. Whether he was on a road bike, a mountain bike, or a stationary bike during his seven-year battle with cancer, he remained in motion. He faced his illness with the same "one day at a time" mindset that guided his recovery, choosing to "let go and let God" while remaining profoundly grateful for every blessing, even in the face of increasing adversity and challenge.

John’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he helped save. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Marta; his children, John IV and his wife Emily, Michael, Paul, and Alicja, as well as his brother Craig and his sister Shawn (McGuinness) Gavin along with her husband James and his nephews, John William and Matthew; and the many families he helped heal.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations via check be made to the FAIR Foundation at 1834 Walden Office Square, Ste 450, Schaumburg IL 60047 or to the Josh Burks Foundation.