John Nesbitt Conyngham III

DALLAS — John Nesbitt Conyngham III passed away peacefully at his home in Dallas, early Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014.

Born Sept. 17, 1925, in Wilkes-Barre to Jessie Guthrie Conyngham and William H. Conyngham, he attended Wilkes-Barre Academy, Wyoming Seminary, the Hotchkiss School, Colgate University's Marine Corps V-12 Program 1944, and graduated from Yale University in 1947.

He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and the Korean War, where as a platoon commander, he was awarded the Silver Star for exceptional bravery in combat.

Jack Conyngham's life was characterized by resolute dedication to his profession, community and family. He worked for the IBM Corp. before joining the family's firm, Eastern Pennsylvania Supply Co. in Wilkes-Barre, where he served as Vice President for over 50 years.

At Hillside Farms, he managed the greenhouse. He served on the vestry of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and on the boards of directors of Merchants Bank North, formerly Wyoming National Bank, the Advisory Board of the First Union Bank, the F.M. Kirby Center, The Children's Service Center, The Nature Conservancy and King's College.

He chaired the Pennsylvania State University Wilkes-Barre Campus Advisory Board and was a member of its Mount Nittany Society, which recognizes the highest level of philanthropy, and was named honorary alumni there. He was one of the founders of Leadership Wilkes-Barre, past chairman of the Good Government Study Commission of Luzerne County, and the former president and campaign chairman of the United Way of Wyoming Valley. He also chaired the Pennsylvania Millers' Mutual board, served as past president of the YMCA, Hollenback Cemetery Association, the Yale Alumni Association of Northeast Pennsylvania, Middle Atlantic Wholesaler's Association, and his much beloved and frequented North Mountain Club.

He is in the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame, received the Donchess Award for Distinguished Service from Wyoming Seminary and the Alexis De Toqueville Society Award from the United Way after many years on the boards there.

In support of his alma mater, he honored a distinguished teacher and friend with the Robert Hawkins Faculty Fund at the Hotchkiss School. He was responsible for many good works, but all cannot be recounted here.

His many interests were reflected in memberships with the Stanley Cooper Sr. Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Coldwater Conservation Fund; George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531; Irem Temple's 50-year membership in association with the Valley of Bloomsburg; North Branch Land Trust; Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society; Jacobsburg Historical Society; Westmoreland Club; Yale Club of New York City; Atlantic Salmon Foundation and a life membership in the Miramichi Salmon Association.

After retiring from his job at EPSCO, Jack pursued his love of travel, his passion for fishing and hunting, and his inordinate devotion to his wife. A wide circle of friends celebrated his remarkable humor, warmth, loyalty and intelligence.

Preceding him in death where his brothers, William L. Conyngham and George Guthrie Conyngham

Jack is survived by his wife, the former Betty Lou Carpenter; and his children, Ann Kerlin Conyngham and her husband, Douglas Telling, Charlemont, Mass.; John Nesbitt Conyngham, Missoula, Mont.; Alison Conyngham Neisloss and her husband, James Neisloss, Upper Brookville, N.Y., and Sarah Hollenback Conyngham and her husband, David Marshall, Hope Valley, R.I. His eight grandchildren are Ann's daughter, Sarah Kerlin Young; John's (Jock's) children, Walker Guthrie and Inga Caoilinn Conyngham; Alison's children, Kate Olivia, Julia Wright and Lily Hillard Neisloss; Sarah's children, Anna May and John Richard Raithel.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. Brian A. Pavlac, PhD, will officiate. Friends may call noon until 3 p.m. Sunday at Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown.

The family would like to express its gratitude for the professionalism and compassion of the home health aides and nurses at Erwine Home Health and Hospice Inc.

In lieu of flowers, his wish would be for mourners to support The Children's Service Center, the United Way of NEPA or the Jack and Lou Conyngham Endowed Scholarship at Penn State University.