John Edward Roberts Jr.

John Edward Roberts, Jr., Esq., age 69, of Coopersburg, PA and Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ, passed away peacefully enveloped in the love of his wife and children on Friday, January 4, 2013, after an arduous battle with MDS and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A respected Allentown attorney, John graduated from Villanova University (65) and Villanova Law School (68). He began his legal practice as Associate Counsel at GAC, Allentown and went into private practice two years later with The Honorable Edward Cahn, Esq. and became partner in 1970; over the years his partners were Thomas Traud, Thomas Wallitsch, Ronald Corkery and Angelo Almonti. Among his many community contributions were County Solicitor (Lehigh County), Township Solicitor (Upper Saucon, Weisenberg), lecturer (CLE and the Police Academy), School Board member (Southern Lehigh). Admitted to Practice: US Supreme Court, US Federal District Court and Circuit Court of Appeals - Third Circuit, PA Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth Courts, Lehigh and Northampton County Courts of Common Pleas. An Army brat born in Evanston, IL to John E. Roberts, Sr, USMA 43 and Kathryn Noonan Roberts, he and his brother, Bill, were brought up on airbases around the globe before his family finally settled in Philadelphia, PA after his pilot father was lost in action during the last mission of the Korean War. John spent his summers lifeguarding along the many beautiful beaches of Ocean City, NJ. Coincidentally, Ocean City native Linda Becotte also spent practically every day of her life along the same beaches, though it wouldnt be until the early 80s that a chance encounter on Long Beach Island would put the two together on a track for life. John and Linda would have celebrated 30 years of deep abiding love in June of this year. John was an avid sportsman and angler who loved to flounder fish at the Jersey shore; he loved to compete and played as hard as he worked. He was one of the founders of the Legal Eagles softball and basketball teams in Allentown. He would have been the first to say that he never lost a round of golf, softball, hoops, poker, Trivial Pursuit, debate or court case. He loved skiing and began scuba diving as a child along the shores of his beloved Ocean City. Survivors: John is survived by his beloved wife, Linda; his children, John E. Roberts III (Paula), Kathryn Roberts (Mahdi Bourhim) and Andrew C. Roberts; two step children, James G. Hutchinson III (Michele) and Sara E. Hutchinson; and seven beautiful grandchildren, Renee, Samuel, Alexander, Anna, Amir, Alexander and Samantha; his beloved spoiled puppies, Tucker and Duffy; brother, William J.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and many, many young people to whom he has always been Uncle John. Be of good cheer, thats what he would have wanted. Services: For those attending the service, please wear a splash of color as we celebrate and honor this good man who was always happy and cheery. Memorial, 2 p.m. Thursday, Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, 17th and Hamilton Streets, Allentown. Call noon to 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions: In lieu of flowers make donations to BeTheMatch.org, Leukemia Society, your local blood bank.