John E. MacCormack of Norfolk, professor emeritus of music, died June 13 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, surrounded by family. He was 81.

A World War II veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart, MacCormack received his bachelor's degree in music from the Eastman School of Music and master's and doctoral degrees from Columbia University. He joined the Old Dominion faculty in 1964 and retired in 1985.

MacCormack was a gifted musician and had a distinguished career as a violist, conductor and teacher. During his career he conducted the Old Dominion University Symphony and the Norfolk Chamber Orchestra. He also played viola for many years in the Virginia Symphony and the Virginia Opera.

At the time of his death he was working on a book of memoirs which expressed his personal philosophy of life and his thirst for knowledge.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Nancy, a former employee of the University Bookstore; his daughters, Ellen, Amy and Mimsey; his son, Bart; seven grandchildren; his brother Warren, of Stuyvesant, N.Y.; and his sister, Frances Ziemba of Hudson, N.Y.