John "Jack" Naughton

Of Forest Hills, age 94, died peacefully the day after Memorial Day, on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.John “Jack” Naughton was born September 25, 1925 in East Pittsburgh, son of Catherine Conlon Naughton and Patrick Naughton. Jack was married to the late Ruth Anne Linton the love of his life, for 56 years.

He is survived by his children, Peggy (late Jim) Schafer of Forest Hills, John P. (Vera) Naughton of New York City, Mary L. (Zane) McCurdy of Butler and Bette (Gregory O’Reilly) Naughton of Morgantown, PA; his grandchildren, Molly (Michael Czerepak), Joseph (Julia DiNardo) Schafer, Catlan (Savjiv Laud) McCurdy, Maxwell McCurdy, Clare Hlis, Sean Naughton and Evan Naughton and 4 great-grandchildren, Oliver Czerepak, Bronson Hlis, Luca Schafer and Mohan Laud.

Jack enlisted in the U.S. Marines on July 3, 1944 and from then on to the day he died, he was a Marine. He served in the South Pacific campaign during World War II and participated in the assault and capture of Iwo Jima. The two things Jack was most proud of were his Marine service, and his family.

Jack had a great sense of humor, a true gift of gab and, literally, knew someone every place we went.  He was a retried technician from Westinghouse Bettis Atomic Power Plant in West Mifflin and he was a member of the Forest Hills Lions Club. Jack loved the outdoors, hunting since he was very young, and gave all his children a great respect for nature.  There were many wonderful vacations in Clarion, swimming in the river, hikes in the woods and being washed up from the rainwater barrel filled with bugs.  Jack was very patient with all his children and taught them all how to ride bikes and play checkers. He was the one to turn to for any cut or scrape as he was the absolute best in  putting on a Band-Aid.
Jack went by many names,, “Jack from Across the Tracks”, “Naughty Jack”, “Handsome Jack” and, later in life, “Pappy Jack”. His grandchildren and great- grandchildren loved him, his teasing, and his silly jokes. Many times, they could be heard saying, “Oh Pap” at some outrageous tale that he told.

Jack Naughton was one of a kind. A loving husband, a great Dad and Pappy, a good friend to many. Jack Naughton was very happy in his life, and we will all miss him not being in ours.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Jack will be laid to rest with Military Honors privately in William Penn Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 600 River Ave., Suite 400, Pgh., Pa. 15212 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Arrangements with Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., East Pittsburgh, 412-824-8800.