John L. "Jack" Guinan

John L. ("Jack") Guinan, 82, of Ardmore, PA passed away on June 6, 2025. An only child, Jack grew up in Barnesville, PA living in a house designed by his beloved mother, Marjorie. His father, Lawrence, one of four brothers, owned and operated "R. Guinan Department Stores" dating back to 1896. The stores were a staple in Schuylkill County (coal region). The Guinan family opened in the 1900's the acclaimed Lakewood Park-an entertainment destination for many nationalities and miner families, with a large waterpark, carousel and other rides, as well as a concert hall for musical guests including Perry Como and Tommy Dorsey. Jack became the last owner of the park, passed down from his father. Jack's roots were in that area, and he remained in close contact with many of his childhood friends. Those friends remembered his bright red hair that made him the perfect child model for print advertisements (including Yuengling, Good Year tires, and Sealy) using a new technology of the time-color photography!
Jack began college at Lehigh University, later transferring to Villanova University where he graduated from the School of Business. Following graduation, he worked in various corporate positions before deciding to enter law school. After his first year, it became clear to Jack that he was not meant to sit behind a desk. He decided to go into ornamental plastering, restoring historic structures throughout the country, and construction management, overseeing the building of a large portion of the King of Prussia mall. In 1981, Jack married his wife of 44 years, Maryanne, and re-entered the corporate world working for PSFS as Assistant Vice President in the real estate department. Following the closing of PSFS, he started Jack Guinan Company, an architectural design and construction business.
It was a personal ad in Philadelphia Magazine that caught his eye, leading him on a date in Center City with Maryanne, who was teaching at the University of Pennsylvania. They shared a home in Ardmore and spent summers at the shore, in Wildwood Crest, where Jack's architectural skills became an invaluable asset having rebuilt the once small cottage into their "happy place," with room for their children and grandchildren, and with the hope that "the house that Jack built" would continue to bring joy for years to come.
Jack had many hobbies, but his love of classic/antique cars was instilled in him by his maternal grandfather, John Fanelli, the first Packard Dealer in Pennsylvania. Jack sailed and was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia. He also had a creative mind and keen eye and was a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club and Plastics Club. Jack's love of travel was instilled in him by his parents. His mother feared flying, so Jack and his parents crossed the Atlantic by ship 14 times, including one crossing on the sister ship of the SS Andrea Doria.
Jack and Maryanne spent time internationally, with Maryanne's career in academia bringing them to Oxford, England and Leuven, Belgium where they, along with their children, lived for a period of time, in addition to trips to Geneva, Switzerland to the World Health Organization. An avid explorer, with a lifelong love of learning, Jack used these opportunities to discover other parts of Europe, including the small Mediterranean town of Cassis, France, which then lead to time in nearby Marseille.
To say that Jack loved Marseille would be an understatement. He looked forward to his and Maryanne's annual pilgrimage to the South of France, for the past 20 years, often joined by his adult children, as well as friends from all parts of his life. He reveled in being their tour guide, having learned the ins and outs of the bustling port city along the Cote D'Azur.
Jack was smart and witty, quick to make a humorous observation or to share his encyclopedic knowledge. His devotion to faith and family was on display in the way he lived his life-his generosity was not loud or boastful, he was humble and quietly helpful to his friends, neighbors and strangers alike.
Jack was the loving father of John L. Guinan, Jr. (Alexis) and Maryellen Guinan Walker (Davis), and proud grandfather of Margot, Theodore, James, Rosemary and Emily. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Bryn Mawr, PA, Friday, June 13, 2025, at 10:30AM, visiting 9:30-10:30AM in the Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Linwood Park (please specify donation is in memory of Jack Guinan), for placement of a memorial https://www.friendsoflinwoodpark.org/ ; or to The John and Natalie (Clarke) Fanelli Endowed Scholarship Fund at Villanova University by contacting the Office of University Advancement.