Obituary of John McElwee Sr.

Obituary of Jack McElwee Sr. John (Jack) McElwee, Sr. passed away on June 2, 2020 at the age of 86. He was born in Philadelphia to the late Eugene (Gene) and Kathrine (Logan) McElwee. He is preceded in death by his recently deceased wife Helen, nee Koch, who passed on April 27, 2020. Their 64th wedding anniversary would have been June 8, 2020. He is also preceded in death by his sister Betty and her husband John Koch, brother-in-law’s Jack Keys, Bill Graeff and George Koch. He is survived by his sisters Eleanor Keys, Theresa Graeff and younger brother Gene (Peggy) and sister-in-law Mary Koch. Jack is the loving father of Jack McElwee, Jr and his wife Dot, Bob McElwee and his wife Jayne, Chris McElwee and his wife Joanne and Paul McElwee. He is the loving grandfather of Sean (Tarah) McElwee, Kari McElwee, Ashley McElwee, Laurel McElwee, CJ McElwee, Daniel Rogus, and Molly Rogus; loving great grandfather to Aidan Kang and Ellis McElwee. Jack was loved by Jack Milligan, Jess Milligan, Shannon Milligan, Kris Seegmuller, his many nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends, and will be deeply missed. Jack was the fourth sibling of five, three older sisters and a younger brother. He graduated high school from North Catholic in Philadelphia, served in the United States Navy between 1951 and 1955 when he was honorably discharged. He married Helen in 1956 and settled in Cobalt Ridge, Levittown, PA. They moved to Hatboro, PA raising four sons. After leaving the United States Navy, he went to work for the Reading Railroad. While working at the Reading Railroad he attended night school at Drexel University’s receiving his electrical engineering degree in 1968. In 1968, he left the Reading Railroad, worked briefly at US Gage and settled in to Fisher and Porter in 1969 from where he retired in 1995. He and Helen finally settled in Anne’s Choice of Warminster, PA living there for the last thirteen years. Jack was an avid golfer and loved to body surf whether it be in Ocean City, New Jersey or Florida. Jack was also a supporter of the arts, attending his son Paul’s numerous plays and musicals. He loved attending and cheering for his grandchildren and great grandchild at their sporting and musical events. Jack provided tax services for the residents of Anne’s Choice and was well known as a Bingo caller at Anne’s Choice. While he was not an avid card player like Helen, he enjoyed playing cards with his wife and spending time with friends and family. A private mass will be held at Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, Warminster, PA. Interment will be private at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne, PA next to his wife. A family and friend gathering will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jack’s name to the Philadelphia Theatre Emergency Relief Fund at www.theatrephiladelphia.org/theatre-philadelphia-emergency-relief and The Parkinson’s Foundation.