Columbia, John Gerard, 77, passed away January 31, 2008 in Brandon, Florida. He was born January 5, 1931, in Bronx, New York. He graduated from Sacred Heart School and Cardinal Hayes. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War Conflict. He was a retired fireman from the City of New York Fire Department. He resided in Rockaway Beach, New York, Colorado Springs, Colorado and Port Charlotte, Florida. During the last few years, he spent the summer months in Whiting, New Jersey and the winter months in Florida. He was of the Roman Catholic faith. He was a member of the FDNY Emerald Society, Holy Name Society, FDNY Retirees, Irish American Club and the Knights of Columbus. John is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Elizabeth; his children, John, Jr. (Maria) of Riverview, Florida, Debra (Mike) Fredrickson of Las Vegas, Nevada, Dorothy (John) Kantaris of North Fort Myers, Florida, William (Kerri) of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Paul (Dayna) of Largo, Florida; grandchildren, John III, Billy, Jr., Kristen, Matthew, Lauren, Kaitlin, Bryan, Danielle, and Bricen; sisters, Catherine (Brennan) and Anne (Nowak); many nieces, nephews and friends. A visitation will be held at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home on Saturday, February 2, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday, February 3, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be a wake service on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Rd, Valrico, Florida, on Monday, February 4, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. with an interment to follow at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Our Lady of the Snows Roman Catholic Church Building Fund, c/o Msgr. Raymond F. Chappetto , 258-15 80th Avenue, Floral Park, NY 11004. Please visit and sign his memorial guestbook at www.serenitymeadows.com