John A. Garner

John A. Garner May 2, 1949 December 23, 2016 John A. "Jack" Garner, Jr., 67, of York, went home to be with the Lord on December 23, 2016 at 5:30 pm following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Jack was born in Bellefonte, PA on May 2, 1949 and is pre-deceased by his loving parents John A. Garner and Marie (Grillo) Garner. He is survived by his loving wife Yvonne M. (Hake) Garner. Jack grew up in State College, PA attending Old Lady of Victory Church where he was a devout Altar Server in his youth. In high school and college, he also honorably served his country as a Ranger in the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol in Squadron 1303, Group 1300 where he earned a Distinguished Service Award as a Staff Sargent for search and rescue missions. Jack held a Bachelor's degree and Master's in Public Administration from Penn State University. In college, he proudly played in the Penn State University Marching Blue Band. He was a life member of the Penn State University Alumni Association. Jack served for 35 years at the Pennsylvania Municipal League in Harrisburg. He served as Executive Director from 1983 to 2013 when he retired as Executive Director Emeritus. Upon retirement, the League's board of directors resolved to name the Pennsylvania Municipal League building in his honor. Jack's career was dedicated to serving and strengthening cities and municipalities across the Commonwealth. Jack loved all Pennsylvania cities and was dedicated to uplifting and empowering municipal officials and was passionate about revitalizing and supporting cities and municipalities. Over his lifetime he has received numerous awards and commendations for his service. The impact of his life's work is felt across the Commonwealth and across the country through his work with the National League of Cities. Jack was a man of deep faith and a member of St. Rose of Lima Church in York, PA. One of Jack's greatest passions was exploring the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. He was an avid student of sailing and spent many years of training through the Annapolis Sailing School where he attained his captain's license. Jack loved cooking and gardening. Jack won the hearts of many through his homemade Italian meatballs. Jack had an infectious smile which brightened up a room. He was a humble man who was always interested in uplifting others. Jack loved life, he loved visiting his second home at Bethany Beach, DE with family and friends, fishing, spending time with his dogs JoJo and Maddie, and Penn State football. Jack was a loving and devoted husband to Yvonne for nearly sixteen years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his twin sister Mary Judith Garner of Harrisburg, PA, sister Evelyn Flexner and her husband Paul Flexner of Salisbury, MD and sister Margaret Roy and her husband Dr. Pete Roy of State College, PA. He was also loved dearly by his step-father-in-law Robert Hilbert, his sister-in-law Lori Hake and brother-in-law David Hake of York, PA. He loved his step children, grandchildren and their spouses as his own, they include: Kristen Heisey, her husband Stacy and children Elizabeth and Alex; Nate Miller and his wife Valerie; and Angela Dunne, her husband Chuck and children Colin and Shane all of York, PA. He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Pete and his wife Amber, great-nieces Ellie and Claire of State College; John A. Garner Roy of State College; Michael and his wife Marta Roy of Arlington, VA; Matthew Roy of Arlington, VA; Anne Marie Roy and Rachel Roy of State College, PA; John Paul Flexner of Philadelphia, PA; Daniel Flexner of Washington, D.C.; Andrew Garner Flexner and spouse Heem Ceratops of Van Nuys, CA; Vannesa Phan, Amanda Hake, Linda Vega, Bruce Hake, Jason Hake, Heather Haas, Anthony Hake of York, PA, and Brie Beyer of North East, MD and many grand-nieces and nephews. A private service will be held on Thursday, December 29 in York, PA. He will be laid to rest at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. A public memorial service to honor Jack's full life is being planned for later in January. Funeral arrangements are being handled by John W. Keffer Funeral Home of York, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethesda Mission in his honor at P.O. Box 3041, Harrisburg, PA 17105 or St. Rose of Lima Church at 411 S. Richland Street, York, PA 17404.