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BORN
1922
DIED
2013
FUNERAL HOME
John Garneau Obituary
At 16, to help out with the family finances, he worked after school as a "soda jerk" at the Stratford Candy Kitchen. After graduating from Stratford High School in 1941 he continued working at the Candy Kitchen.
In September 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he served in World War II until February 1946. His introduction to Clarion, Pennsylvania, was in 1943 when he was transferred by the Army Air Corps from Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama, to assist in the cadet training program at Clarion State Teachers College. After 15 months in Clarion, he was transferred to Napier Field, Dothan, Alabama, where he served as a chaplain's assistant until his honorable discharge as a staff sergeant in February 1946.
In 1945, while still in the service, he married Lois Space from Clarion and they were happily married for 55 years. She preceded him in death in March 2000. Upon his discharge from the service, Johnny's love for Clarion prompted his decision to make Clarion the launch pad for his lifetime career.
The experienced gained from his early days at the Stratford Candy Kitchen served him well as he started planning to build a hot dog stand with curb service. In 1949, his dream came true when he opened a humble five-seat "Beanery" on Route 322, two miles east of Clarion. In the 1950s he expanded into the Pittsburgh and Ohio areas with the famous Johnny Garneau's Smorgasbord Restaurants. In 1964, he began the 1800s railroad-themed Golden Spike Restaurant chain in Pittsburgh, Clarion, and Fort Lauderdale, which he ran until he retired.
Johnny was an ingenious inventor and one of his best-known inventions is the "sneezeguard" that pioneered the current law in the United States for buffet-style food-service. He obtained a patent for his invention from the U.S. Patent Office in 1959 as the Covered Food Serving Table. He went on to invent and patent other food-industry products such as the "Pretz" sandwich roll, and detachable Sani-Serve food service handles.
Johnny Garneau was a lover of airplanes, trains and music. He flew his first solo flight at age 22 at Sikorsky Field in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was a talented percussionist and produced his own musical shows with World War II and other popular themes.
During the founding years, Johnny was responsible for influencing KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh to sponsor Clarion's Annual Autumn Leaf Festival by lending their TV celebrities. Johnny served on many Autumn Leaf Festival Committees over the years, thereby fulfilling his desire to help create Clarion's Autumn Leaf Festival as it is known today. This fall, Clarion will hold its 60th Autumn Leaf Festival.
Survivors include five children -- John P. Garneau, Jr. (Ginger) of Montoursville, PA, Jane McLaughlin (Charles) of Lighthouse Point, FL, Barbara Kelley (William) of Reston, VA, Susan McKinney (James) of Pittsburgh, and Robert Garneau of Raleigh, NC. In addition, he has 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and is survived by one sister, Jeanne Richards of Connecticut.
He is preceded in death by four brothers, Pierre, William, Lawrence and James.
Johnny is a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lighthouse Point where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 17, at 12:30 p.m.
The wake will be held the night before, May 16, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Kraeer Funeral Home in Pompano Beach.
A memorial Mass will be held 10am June 15, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion with Rev. Monty Sayers officiating. Burial will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery with military honors accorded by the ceremonial squad of the Clarion American Legion.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Johnny's favorite charity.
Arrangments are under the direction of the Varner Funeral Home in Sligo.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.varnerfuneralhome.com
Memories and Condolences
for John Garneau
Jonathan Tennis
May 31, 2013
I had the honor of working for this great man at his restaurant on Sample Road .Our band performed there ,he was a gentleman of the first order.
May 26, 2013
May 25, 2013
We are the parents of Lori Bender who sent a message about out Wedding Reception on May 25, 1963 - 50 years ago. Johnny Garneau's on McKnight Road will always be remember by us. Although we are sad to learn of Johnny's death he provided many memories for the people of Pittsburgh.
Dan & Joann Straka, Spring Hill, TN
Lori Bender
May 25, 2013
My parent's are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today. I looked up Johnny Garneau's restaurant today, because that is where they celebrated their wedding reception, May 25 1963. My sympathy to your family, and it is nice to know that he helped to celebrate the lives of many people!
Greg Perez
May 18, 2013
Deepest condolences on the loss of a wonderful gentleman. May the void he leaves be filled with remembered joy.
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Cindy (McCormick) Salay
May 18, 2013
I met Mr. Garneau at his daughter Jane's home in LHP in the early 80s. I had recently moved from the Pittsburgh area and was so impressed to meet our local legend. He was very friendly and laughed at the fact that he was "famous". I have never forgotten that meeting.
Jeannie & Bill Melfi
May 17, 2013
Bill & I were so saddened by your dad's death. He and your mother were very good to me and I treasure the memories of the time shared with your family. With our love and sympathy,
John Bing
May 16, 2013
RIP Johnny. We will cherish some great memories of you and your legacy.
My sympathy goes out to the entire Garneau family.
Carol Harris
May 16, 2013
John and Ginger...and your family... sorry to read about your father. I think he had a good and productive life and was admired by those around him. John...you had a wonderful mentor and I know you made him proud. Thinking of your family at this time....Carol (Chapman) Harris.
Laurie & Pike Rowley
May 15, 2013
Pike and I were sorry to hear about your dads passing, Jane. I love hearing all the stories about him. Those Pennsylvania men are certainly unique! Our prayers are with your family.
May 15, 2013
What wonderful parents you had. Joe Harvey and I were friends with John and we were delighted he chose First Seneca as his bank. Joe and our wives and I attended all of his grand openings even in Ft Lauderdale. A man of vision, a friend, a man to be admired. This world could use a lot of folks the caliber of John Garneau. Punky & Bob Jeffrey
Joni Darr-Morgan
May 15, 2013
I'm so sorry to hear of Uncle John's passing. I still think about him often when we go camping. My fondest memories of Uncle John were summers at Wolf's KOA in Knox, PA (near Clarion). He would slip me sips of his Iron City when we were sitting around the camp fire. What a fun time we had. He was a treasure and will be fondly missed.
Joni (Darr) Morgan
May 15, 2013
I worked for Johnny at his first restaurant in Clarion in the late 60;s, as a hostess
then later as a waitress. He was a good man. We knew John Jr socially too, since we are about the same age. So sorry for your loss.
Bobby (chicken) & Sherry ( Patton) Wynkoop
Barbara Garneau Kelley
May 14, 2013
Dad. You were one spirited man who loved being a restaurant man with a zest for life. We'll miss you. Say hi to mom when you see her.
Barb and the Kelleys
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