Juan F. Mejia

Mejia, Juan F. passed away June 7, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving family. Juan is survived by his three children, Stephon, 19, Emma, 14 and Reanna, 10. He is also survived by his father Juan and mother Eugenia, younger brother Luis, sister in law Jennifer, niece Olivia, nephew Matthew and many cousins and friends.  He will be forever loved by his family and friends. Juan was born to Juan and Eugenia Mejia in Mineola, New York in 1964 and grew up in Carle Place where he loved being a big brother to Luis. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to defend his brother or his friends. Growing up Juan enjoyed soccer, baseball, hunting and fishing, which later became one of the greatest passions of his life. After Juan graduated from Carle Place High School in 1983,  he entered the workforce. In the years following graduation, he worked as a mate on several fishing boats and was also an associate at a local outdoors sportsman shop. He later moved to upstate NY to be closer to the outdoor life he desired and shared life with some of the close friends he made over the years. There he continued to develop his hunting and fishing skills and loved to compete in fishing tournaments. He later returned to Carle Place for a short time before following family to South Florida.    While living in Weston, FL, Juan worked at the Sawgrass Recreational Park...his dream job! Everyday was filled with air boats, fishing, exotic animals and alligators. At Sawgrass he worked as a facilities manager, air boat captain and as a head mechanic. His love for the outdoors and nature continued to thrive in South Florida and later he was known as an advocate for the Everglades.  Those who knew him, were amazed at all of the pictures of wildlife he managed to capture over the years. Bears, panthers, wild hogs, deer, snakes and alligators to name a few. He loved to share his time with his friends and fellow outdoor enthusiasts, even taking time to show newcomers a thing or two. Juan was a very giving person. He was known as the nice guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it or as someone who would invite you to go fishing if you were new in town.  Juan purposely surrounded himself around equally giving people and people who lived life to the fullest like he did. During his last few weeks at home while on hospice, Juan even took time to “stop and smell the flowers” and could be heard telling nurses and friends about the birds and butterflies he enjoyed watching from his patio.     Juan accomplished many things throughout his life, but he would be the first to tell you that his biggest accomplishment in life was his kids. Over the years, Juan taught his children all about nature, how to love the outdoors and the joy of fishing and hunting.  He regularly took his kids on outdoor adventures that created great memories that they will never forget. He enjoyed supporting them in whatever they did, especially when they wanted to play soccer, join dance or just get involved in activities at school with their friends.  He took the job of being a dad very seriously and loved every minute of it.  Juan, you were a beloved  father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. You were our whole life and words can never express what you meant to us. You will never be forgotten. You will always be in our hearts.    Visitation will be held at T.M. Ralph Sawgrass Funeral Home, 371 NW 136th Avenue, Sawgrass, FL on Sunday, July 1, from 11 - 12 PM, with a Celebration Of Life Service starting at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.