John Laurie

John Laurie, 88, of Saint Clair, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 10, 2019, while surrounded by his family at the home of his daughter, Michele, in Exton, PA. He had fought a valiant battle against cancer. John was born in Saint Clair on June 21, 1930, to the late Mary (Kalinich) and Charles Laurie, Sr. and was the youngest of seven children.

John graduated from Saint Clair High School in 1948 and went on to serve as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

He was employed at United Metal Cabinet Corporation, where he served as shop steward, until he retired in 1995, after 40 years of service.

John had a lifetime love of sports and music. He excelled at sports in school, in the Marines, and in local adult leagues. He pitched in the Schuylkill County Fast Pitch Softball League and also played in the Saint Clair Fast Pitch League and the Minersville Modified League. One of his favorite sports memories was playing basketball with other St. Clair High School graduates against the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles team that included greats like Chuck Bednarik, Tommy McDonald, and Sonny Jorgenson.

In addition to playing sports, John also established himself as a successful youth and adult sports coach. When he returned from his Marines service, he helped launch the Saint Clair biddy basketball league, where he served as one of the initial coaches. He also coached CYO basketball and softball for St. Mary’s Parish in Saint Clair, winning the Diocese basketball title in 1975 and playing in the CYO State Tournament. He coached Beckett’s Angels in the Schuylkill County Women’s Fast Pitch League, where he won the championship in 1982. John was an avid Pitt Panthers football fan.

John was inducted into the Tubby Allen-Chet Rogowicz Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

John was a member of St. Michael The Archangel Orthodox Church Choir for over 60 years and a member of the Byzantine Male Choir. He also enjoyed active membership in St. Michael’s Citizens’ Club and The Saint Clair Old-Timers Association. He was known to quickly honor requests to sing – or tell jokes – at all kinds of events.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 44 years, Margaret (Grace) Laurie, who passed away in 2005. Also preceding him were brothers Charles and Michael Laurie, and sisters Anna Sekela, Mary Gursky, Margaret Kapusta, and Elsie Stencovage. He is survived by his devoted daughters, Susan (husband Scott) Graver of Wellsboro and Michele (husband Mark) Riotto of Exton, his five grandchildren, whom he adored – Lindsey and Jillian Graver and Brendan, Matthew, and Ryan Riotto, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be at 9:45 AM Tuesday January 15 at the Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home 110 North 2^nd Street, St. Clair, PA 17970. Further services will be  at 10.30 AM from  St. Michael The Archangel Orthodox Church, 106 N. Morris Street, Saint Clair, PA 17970. The Rev. Jeff Zias will be officating. Family and friends are invited to call 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday with Panachida at 7:30 PM and from 8:30 AM to 9:45 AM Tuesday January 15 at the Funeral Home.    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to The St. Michael’s Memorial Fund at the above address. Burial with Military Honors will be at Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Peach Mt. Road, Pottsville.