John J. McMurtrie (also known as Mac), 89, died surrounded by his loved ones on May 27, 2024.
Mac was predeceased by the love of his life, his high school sweetheart and wife of 60 years, Nancy Sirock McMurtrie.
He was the son of the late John and Beulah Hower McMurtrie and is survived by his sisters Mary Jane (Joseph) Murphy and Judy Schroding.
A lifelong resident of St. Clair, Mac graduated from St. Clair High School in 1952 and served in the U.S. Navy as a Radarman First Class from 1954-1957. His military service gave him the opportunity to attend Bloomsburg State College and earn his B.A. in English in 1962. Mac was an avid reader and quite adept at crossword and other puzzles.
Mac served as Executive Director of the Schuylkill County Office of Public Assistance for 20 years and was a supervisor and caseworker prior to that. He looked forward to his monthly breakfasts and lunches with his former colleagues and attended them until recently.
Mac served as Master of Ceremony for St. Clair's annual Halloween Parade for decades, co-chaired the town's Sesquicentennial Committee, was a longtime lector at St. Mary's R.C. Church, and a member of the St. Clair Kiwanis Club.
A sports fanatic, Mac had a soft spot for Penn State and Notre Dame football and could be heard yelling loudly at the refs on TV on any given Saturday in the Fall.
He was a devoted fan of Hallmark Christmas movies and counted the days until "Christmas in July", as well as the October opening of the Hallmark Christmas Season.
Mac was a loving and supportive dad and will be missed deeply by his children – Cindy McMurtrie, Cheri (Dennis) Sninsky, and Kevin (Kris) McMurtrie.
He especially adored his grandchildren – Kieran (Greg) Schuettler, Kevin Sninsky (Kyra Varano), Lily Samett (Mac Jerome), Jack Samett, and Benjamin and Patrick McMurtrie. Mac credited their brilliance and good looks to HIS recessive genes.
Mac was beloved by nieces and nephews, godchildren, cousins, friends, and the neighborhood kids who called him Mr. Mac.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Mac simply said "Just tell them that I never intentionally hurt anyone."
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM from St. Clare of Assisi Church, 250 E Hancock St, St Clair, PA 17970 with Rev. Msgr. William F. Glosser officiating. Friends may call from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, 117 Morgan Drive, Reading, PA 19608 or the St. Clare of Assisi Parish Memorial Fund.
Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street, St. Clair, PA 17970 is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences can be sent to www.brucethartfuneralhome.com