Bethlehem, PA – John C. McGuire, 52, of Bethlehem Township, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, surrounded by his family, following a long and courageous battle with leukemia. Born in Scranton on June 27, 1970, he was the son of the late John W. and Nancy (McDowell) McGuire. John and his wife, Maura (Zajac) McGuire celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary in November.
John graduated from Scranton Preparatory High School in 1988 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Scranton in 1991. John worked for Nationwide Insurance, the William Cary Agency, and KidsPeace National Hospital before finding his true vocational calling at Access Services, where he became the assistant director for foster care services.
He was devoted to his wife and sons, who were the center of his universe, and enjoyed spending time with them much. John relished his escapades with the new puppy Jasper and the family’s now-deceased canine Mac. His extended family and friends, with whom he had a close relationship, provided him with unwavering support throughout his illness and shared his motto of “Believe!”. John was a parishioner at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Bethlehem, where he frequently volunteered for CYO events and activities at the former parish school.
He served the Freemansburg-Bethlehem Township Athletic Association for eleven years as a volunteer, serving in a variety of roles such as president, player agent, and senior field commissioner. He was also recognized as a lifetime member. John coached wrestling for the Notre Dame Little Crusaders kids program for a long time. He presided over the booster club for Notre Dame-Green Pond High School. Being the head wrestling coach at Notre Dame-Green Pond High School and seeing the program’s resurgence gave John a tremendous deal of satisfaction. The energy and comradery of the Lehigh Valley wrestling scene were much appreciated by him. John delighted in exercising at the neighborhood gym, where he frequently met people he knew from his coaching and charity work.
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John will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Maura; sons Connor and wife Megan (Knarr) of Philadelphia, and Ryan of West Chester; sister Mara and husband Stanley Marczyk of Absecon, NJ; brother Kevin and wife Meghan McGuire of Ashland, MA; a loving family of nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins; and friends.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Morello Funeral Home, Inc. 3720 Nicholas Street, Easton (Palmer Twp.), PA. An additional calling hour will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 9:15 am to 10:15 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart of Bethlehem Church, 1817 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA 18020, followed by burial at Holy Savior Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to support the Bone Marrow Clinic at Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111, online gifts: Foxchase.org/donate (Please note that gift is in memory of John C. McGuire). Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com
