JOHN ROBERT SLACK

Funeral service will be held on December 7th, 2018 to honor the burial of John's remains at Allegheny Cemetery. Ceremony will be graveside. Directions and additional details provided on the event posting linked to below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/746642372337609

John and his family lived next to our house on W. Swissvale when we went to EHS, but we didn't really trade music until I moved back there after college. At times my Indiana friend Dan Lynch & I would be invited over to John's to play CSN songs, and I remember how enthusiastic John was about them. Six years later, when I decided to leave my job in Fred Albitz's Vine St. basement studio to try my luck in CA, I needed a B3 organ part in one of the songs for my demo, and John came to mind. We arranged for him to bring over the massive instrument (for those days) to the studio, but soon discovered that it wouldn't fit down the narrow basement stairs, so, grunting and groaning and squeezing it down the driveway stairs, we finally got it through the aluminum storm door...literally. I had to pay Fred back for the pulverized door, and John cut his hand on the torn metal, but he finally got the part down late that night. We were too exhausted to get the organ out of there -- we had to wait a few days and get a few more guys to haul it out. John was very generous with his time and talent. Rest in peace, neighbor.

John and I ended up going from Edgewood High School to the same college in Ohio for our freshman year. It was really at college that we became close friends. Although he dropped out after freshman year I can remember him coming back to Wooster and kind of camping out in a large walk in closet in the off campus house where I was living. A bunch of us had convinced the administration that we wanted to create a French house, but other than answering the phone by saying "Allo" there wasn't much other than a bunch of hippie type kids living the "high" life. I think John lived in that closet for about a semester without anyone from the college even noticing. That was when my wife also became close friends with him.

We can still hear his infectious laugh in our heads. We sat for hours in the music room at his house every time we came back to Pittsburgh for a visit. John had this gift for seeing the absurd in normal life and the ability to laugh about it all. He also had a way of teasing you while conveying the message that he loved having you around. We'll miss you Slack.

I'm sorry not to see John Slack again, but I'm happy that we were able to talk and jam so many times with a group at his house.

Even in recent years, I've returned to jamming at open stages and built on what I learned when younger.

I'm also glad that I happened to see him at the last Edgewood reunion and talked to him on the phone. I wish I'd known he was sick and would've visited him.

Tom, thanks for posting the memorial and I'm glad it's in the future, this time! God Bless you.

John Slack Memorial Event

Friday, June 29 at 6 PM - 9 PM

Grand View Golf Club
1000 Clubhouse Dr, North Braddock, Pennsylvania 15104

https://www.facebook.com/events/161032954559097/

John Slack Memorial Event:

Friday, June 29 at 6 PM - 9 PM

Grand View Golf Club
1000 Clubhouse Dr, North Braddock, Pennsylvania 15104

https://www.facebook.com/events/161032954559097/

I was so sad to learn of John's passing. My memories of lunch at Big Jim's and our conversations at Giant Eagle will be with me forever. He had a sense of humor that is unforgettable. Condolences to family and friends and prayers for John's soul. He will be missed.

John was a great guy, good friend and talented musician. I will remember him best when he was in the Gospel GS. I am very saddened by his passing.

I was so sorry to read about John. He was a great guy, good friend and a very talented musician. I will remember him most when he was in the Gospel GS.

I played guitar with John in Bad Juju. My sympathies to his family. I liked John as a friend and as a great musician. We drifted apart and as many of my friends I find out too late that they are gone. God bless you John Slack. Phil Butchelli

Many awesome memories in a couple different cities but always the best on West Swissvske Ave. RIP John and sad, heartfelt condolences to Tom and Carolyn.

Hangin in the cemetery

Saturdays and Sundays
The time to hang with friends
Hangin in the cemetery
Partying with the dead

Keebs, Dave and Rick
Maryann, John and Dan
Rachel, Tom and Dolly
Were the usual clan

It really is quite beautiful
The mosques with their stained glass
Motherless child statue
Lives of people passed

Tombstone so old I can not tell
The name or date or age
But it has a lamb on top
A child that passed away

We visit Henry, Childs and Helen
HJ, John and Teenie too
Cooper, Bishop, Trainor
And many people so few knew

There is a pond with goldfish
And red-wing black birds too
I like the part with the pretty stones
Visitors to the Jews

That was many years ago
Weekends were a blast
These memories I will cherish
In my heart they'll always last

RIP Slack!
Tom and Dolly Hornick

Remembering John fondly through a few jam sessions I attended at the Slack home during my formative high school years. John had a welcoming and friendly personality. My condolences to family and friends.

I remember many weekends jamming and playing music with John and Tom and anybody and everybody that would show up. I have many great memories of Gunpowder Falls. I still play music to this day and credit the Slacks for encouraging and nurturing the gift of music.
I am sure that there is a band in heaven that needs a Hammond B3 player. Have a gentle journey to your next gig.

John was my childhood buddy. Easy to be around, he was a good natured, easy going guy. Rest in Peace buddy.
Bill Spencer

"Just trying to different like everybody else." That's just one of the many humorous "Slack-isms" that I shall never forget. John and I shared many laughs over the years, and I'm richer for knowing him. He will now be second-guessing Bucco managers from above. God bless you, my friend.

So many hours and days spent together with John in the Music Room. What wonderful and soul nourishing times! When our lives slowly took us in different directions, it felt like a greater and greater loss. Whenever I hear the lines from the Arcade Fire song about kids growing up together then going separate ways, I think about John and miss him: Now the cities we live could be distant stars. And I searched for you in every passing car. Much love my friend.

So many hours and days spent together with John in the Music Room. What wonderful and soul nourishing times! When our lives slowly took us in different directions, it felt like a greater and greater loss. Whenever I hear the lines from the Arcade Fire song about kids growing up together then going separate ways, I think about John and miss him: Now the cities we live could be distant stars. And I search for you in every passing car. Much love my friend.

It saddens me to lose another lifelong friend and classmate, but I will always cherish the many, many happy memories of the times we spent together.

Rest in peace John.

He was the best ..best man a groom could ever have. I will never forget him or the friend he was to Mike. Godspeed John!

Tom, I was so sorry to hear about John. I have the greatest memories of him, his music, especially his singing, playing the keyboard, his sense of humor, and especially his friendship. I thought of him often and fondly through the years'. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family as you celebrate John's life.

You always made me laugh with your quick wit. We shared some great music and good times my friend. Rest in peace, Johnny.

Mike Suley

John was kind and always had a smile. I wish there were more like him. Thanks for some awesome memories John. Rest In Peace. Chris Fedoronko