John P. McCloskey Jr. was born July 21, 1947 in Oil City to John (Paul) McCloskey Sr. and Agnes R. (Ditz) McCloskey of Crown.
He passed away on May 6, 2024.
He was the eldest of six children.
He was a graduate of North Clarion High School in 1965.
He served in the Army Reserve unit based out of Brookville from 1966 to 1968.
He began his working career at the Briar Hill Rustic furniture business owned by George Berlin in Leeper.
From there he was employed as a casual employee for National Fuel Gas working
his way up to field supervisor.
He retired from that position in 1990.
He began his own business and was known locally as “The Can Man” collecting aluminum cans for recycling from family, friends, and neighbors.
His goal was to collect half a million cans to be recycled.
He was close to his goal having recycled over 400,000 cans.
He loved nature and wildlife.
John was an avid deer hunter which began at an early age sharing many moments hunting with his father and brothers.
Lots of entertaining stories have been shared over the years about those adventures.
John was a past member of the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department serving as a member of the fire police.
He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
John was often seen selling tickets for the Knights after Sunday morning Mass outside St. Mary’s.
He loved the interaction with his fellow parishioners.
Only July 21, 1990, John married Joan W. Ochs at Immaculate Conception Catholic church in Clarion.
She preceded him in death on December 17, 2011.
He is survived by his children Lori (Carl) Kahle of Leeper, Marcia (Mike) Moore of Santa Barbara, California, and Andrew (Marcy) Bauer of Vowinckel.
Also surviving are two brothers and three sisters: Timothy and his wife Linda McCloskey of Lucinda, Michael and his wife Sheryl McCloskey of Oil City, Rose and her husband Terry Banks of Oil City, Kathleen and her husband Robert Weaver of Lake Lucy and Maureen McCloskey and her wife Marjorie of Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
In addition, he is survived by six grandchildren: Justin (Ashley) Kahle, Andrea (Michael) Borland, Nicholas Moore, Rachel Bauer, Rebecca Bauer, Daniel Moore, and Christine (Matthew) Aaron.
Also surviving are 3 great-grandchildren: Karter Kahle, Nathan Borland and Reese Borland, and numerous nieces and nephews.
John has one surviving aunt, Joan E. Donahue of Erie and is predeceased by his other aunts and uncles.
John is survived by brother-in-law Dave (Chris) Ochs, brother-in-law Albinus “Bine” (Janet) Ochs, brother-in-law Mike (Cathy) Ochs, brother-in-law Paul Schwabenbauer, and sister-in-law Elaine Ochs.
He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Nelson Ochs and Lawrence Griebel and sisters-in-law Susie Griebel and Elsie Schwabenbauer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 10, 2024 at St. Mary’s Parish (Crown) 117 Lencer Dr. Leeper, PA 16235 with Rev. Michael Polinek presiding.
Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home in Clarion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in John’s honor to the Clarion Forest VNA, 271 Perkins Rd. Clarion, PA 16214 or St. Jude Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105.
Friends and family may send online condolences, memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.
