John William Borg

Borg, John William, 78, of Edina passed away peacefully on June 25 surrounded by his family after an 18 month battle with glioblastoma. John was born on June 12, 1948 in Rochester to Anna Katherine and Franklin Borg. He attended John Marshall High School and Rochester Community College before graduating from Bemidji State, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen McGinty. They married on June 22, 1973, beginning a life together that would span over 5 decades. John earned his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law, setting off a legal career that would span nearly as long as his marriage. He practiced in the public sector before his appointment to the Hennepin County bench in 1983 by Governor Al Quie. He was an adjunct law professor at his alma mater for several years. He left the bench and held several in-house litigation counsel roles at Medtronic, where he received the Medtronic Star of Excellence Award. He later became a respected mediator and arbitrator, actively practicing until his diagnosis in February 2025. He received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Bemidji State, served on the Minnesota State Bar Association CLE Trial Advocacy Institute, was past director of the Minnesota State Bar Association CLE Board of Directors, and served on several U.S. Magistrate Judge and state court judge selection panels. He was a founding member of the Academy of Court Appointed Masters. John's life was rooted in faith, family, and love. He carried himself with steady kindness, guided by a deep belief in God and a devotion to the people entrusted to him. Above all else, John was a family man. He treasured the life he and Kate built together, and adored his children, Molly and Sean above all else - and the gift of five grandchildren brought him incredible joy. They built many family traditions, including over a decade of winter ski trips to the mountains. He cherished Christmas, when everyone was together. In recent years, John and Kate traveled the world, by boat, plane and train, falling more in love with each other. They spent their winters as snowbirds in Tonto Verde, Arizona, where John's golf game never improved but where life-long friendships flourished. It is Lake Washington, however, that held John's heart. It was his favorite place on earth; a gathering place for family and friends, filled with days on the water, long, happy hours surrounded by the people who meant everything to him, and peaceful sunsets. He celebrated the Fourth of July with gusto, always in awe of the annual neighborhood firework display that drew spectators from all over Lake Washington. John was happiest when his family was together. He considered himself a lucky man, blessed with five beautiful grandchildren. He delighted in their personalities, accomplishments, questions, and stories, and he gave each of them the gift of his full attention and unconditional love. They brought him immeasurable pride and happiness, and his devotion to them was one of the clearest reflections of the generous heart he shared with his family. A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Maya Hrachova, Lehn Grube and Becky Moore of the Givens Brain Tumor Center for their unending compassion and for the gift of time. The family is also grateful to all of John's caregivers during his final days, especially Irene Tuschner from Accent hospice and Ellie Heiman and all of the staff at Towerlight Senior Living. This was a journey he did not deserve but they never wavered in preserving his dignity. John is preceded in death by his parents, older brothers Frank and Robert, father and mother-in-law Emmett and MaryPat McGinty, siblings-in-law Patricia Worden, John Worden and Tony Luciano; and nephew Johnny Worden. He is survived by the only love of his life, Kathleen (Kate); his children Molly (Patrick) Thornton and Sean (Molly) Borg; his adored five grandchildren, Grace (13), Danny (12), Teddy (10), William (10) and Marie (8); his siblings Scott (Julie) Borg, Ann (Steve) Kallsen and Susan Luciano; his sisters-in-law Peggy McGinty, Mary Pat (Rile) Cherrey, Sue Borg and Cathy Borg; many nieces and nephews; and so many friends, all of whom he deeply cherished. Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m., Wednesday July 8 with visitation at 10 a.m. at the Church of St Patrick, 6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina. Visitation also 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 West 50th St. Edina. John will be interred at Resurrection Cemetery in a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider a donation in John's name to the Glioblastoma Foundation (https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate/ or P.O. Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715). Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

John William Borg

June 12, 1948 - June 25, 2026

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