Our wonderful and loving husband and father, John McLatchy, 55, passed away on Sept. 13, 2017 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
John was born in Philadelphia, PA on Oct. 5, 1961 to John McLatchy, Sr. (Jack) and Mary Virginia McLatchy (Buff). He grew up in Littlestown, PA and graduated from Littlestown High School and Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA. He started the Front Street Brewery in 1995 - when breweries were "not in" yet in NC and was currently the owner of The Bridge Tender and Fish House Grill.
John was literally and truly one of the kindest, most genuine person you could ever meet. At 6'5" he was a true "gentle giant". As one friend stated, "John's size could have been intimidating but he used it to exude great warmth and kindness." Not many people knew a lot about John but he knew a ton about them - he was a listener. Owning restaurants was his true calling. John knew most of his patrons not only by name but also knew their children's names, what school(s) they attended and what sport(s) they played. His family was his LIFE! A great day in John's world was working, attending whatever sporting event his children were participating in and eating dinner at 9:00 pm or later with Catherine just so they could "catch up".
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Catherine; his four children whom he fiercely adored, Zachary, Lucas, Ava and Liza; his parents; his brother Tim McLatchy and wife Johanna of Annandale, VA; his sister Sherry Lee Harris and her husband Joseph of Chambersburg, PA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his older brother, Kevin
A celebration of John's life will be held at 10:00 AM on Sat. September 23, 2017 at Port City Community Church, 250 Vision Dr. Wilmington, NC. 28403. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
Please honor John's memory by drinking a good craft beer and taking an extra minute to "really listen" just a bit more. John will be painfully missed by his family however comforted in knowing he is finally "pain free" and in a much better place. Rest in true peace, John and Dad, we will love you ALWAYS!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401 or to Port City Community Church in honor of John McLatchy. Online condolences may be left at www.andrewsmortuary.com. The family would like to send special thanks to the angels at Lower Cape Fear Hospice, our special friends and family (you know who you are) and our "second" family at the restaurants.
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