John R. McCloskey

JOHN R. 'JACK' McCLOSKEY SR., 69, OF BOYERTOWN John R. "Jack" McCloskey Sr., 69, of Boyertown, died April 9, 2012 in Joanne's House at Hope Hospice, Bonita Springs, FL. He was the husband of Margaret "Peg" (Ireland) McCloskey. Born in Reading, he was a son of the late John F. and Elizabeth (Wells) McCloskey. He was a 1960 graduate of Central Catholic High School and a 1964 graduate of Kutztown University. Jack was a social sciences educator, teaching at: Governor Mifflin, North Schuylkill and finally retiring from Boyertown High School in 1997. He was the former chairman of Earl Township Board of Supervisors and was a member of Rajah Shriners, Blandon; Valley of Allentown Consistory; Lehigh Lodge 0326 F&AM; B.P.O. Elks, Ashland; F.O. Orioles, Boyertown; Victor Emmanuel II Beneficial Society and the Goodwill Beneficial Association. Jack was inducted into the Alvernia University Athletic Hall of Fame, as an inauguration member, in 2008. He was a basketball coach for Alvernia University from 1991 to 2004 where he won 227 games, the record for highest recorded wins for the men's basketball program. He also ranked in the top 50 in career winning percentage in Division III. He won PA Athletic Conference championship titles in 2000 and 2003. He was named coach of the year of the PAC in 1997 and led Alvernia to the NCAA playoffs in 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2003. Formerly he coached for Boyertown High School from 1973 to 1980, and again in 1987 to 1990, during which the team won a ChesMont title. He coached for North Schuylkill High School from 1968 to 1973 and won two North Schuylkill League titles and coached JV basketball at Governor Mifflin High School from 1965 to 1968. Jack was also inducted into the Reading and Berks Basketball Oldtimers and Berks Chapter of PA Sports Hall of Fame, both in 2004. He was a member of St. Margaret's R.C. Church, Reading. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children: Meredith I. McCloskey of Wyomissing and John R. McCloskey Jr. and his wife of Kelly of Boyertown. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Jack McCloskey, Ashley McCloskey, Luke McCloskey and Jace Bausher. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Margaret's R.C. Church, 925 Centre Avenue, Reading. A viewing will be Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading and Monday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be private in Gethsemane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Alvernia University, Jack McCloskey Fund, 400 St. Bernardine St., Reading, PA 19607. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.