John Samuel McGinness

John Samuel McGinness, beloved husband of Mary Patricia McGinness, passed away on December 22, 2023, at the age of 90, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. John, a first-generation Scotch-Irishman, was born in New York City, the son of Teresa (Banks) and Samuel McGinness.
Growing up on 215th Street in Manhattan, John enjoyed playing stickball, working at the Central Park ice rink, and attending various events at Columbia University's Baker Field. John attended high school at the Christian Brothers School in Barrytown, New York, where, in addition to excelling in academics, he fell in love with ice hockey on the coves of the Hudson River.
In 1952, at 19, John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a Morse code expert on the Korean mountain tops, where he directed fighter jets during combat in the Korean War. Years later, we learned that on several occasions, John directed a plane piloted by "the Splendid Splinter" MLB Hall of Famer Ted Williams during his Korean War missions.
After being honorably discharged in 1955, John pursued his degree in Chemical Engineering on the GI Bill at Columbia University while working as a NYC cab driver. During this time, in 1959, John met Mary at a Valentine's dance. Married for 63 years, they raised four children while John embarked on an entrepreneurial journey in the chemical distribution industry, which took them to Missouri and New Jersey, eventually settling in Pennsylvania. He was involved in various professional associations including the Chemical Club of Philadelphia.
In the mid-1970s, John and Mary built their home of 50 years on a heavily wooded property on Tinker Hill. As a family, they toiled with the natural beauty of trees and streams to create a bucolic haven shared with family, friends and neighbors. Fond memories abound of swimming, fishing and ice skating on the ponds, watching tennis matches on the court, warming to bonfires at the top of the hill before the next toboggan ride and hosting the annual opening of Tinkerthon with "Tinkerball," which may perhaps have been the inspiration for the current day national recreation craze known as Pickleball.
John was an avid puzzler and a voracious reader, especially during his summers in Ocean City, New Jersey. Even though John was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan during his youth, he loved his Philadelphia sports teams – especially the Flyers. He had more hobbies and interests than we can list, but he was especially fond of people and parties. He was known for his wit and humor and was a master of the one-liners. Most of all, John was a man of character, principle, and discipline. He was a man who led by example; he never compromised his integrity, stayed true to himself, and always embraced opportunity.
John is survived by his wife, Mary (Dennehy) McGinness, his four children, Anne (McGinness) Kearse and husband, Bruce Mattock, of Charleston, SC, Theresa (McGinness) Geraghty and husband, Thomas, of Burlingame, CA, Marie (McGinness) Durant and husband, Timothy, of Boston, MA, and Samuel John McGinness and his wife, Sharon, of Lawrenceville, NJ. John is also survived by his nine grandchildren, John Kearse, Hannah Kearse, Emily Geraghty, John "Jack" Geraghty, Brielle Durant, Carley Durant, Timothy Durant, Maria McGinness Thompson (Aaron), John Samuel McGinness, two step grandsons, Edward Mattock and David Mattock, and two great-granddaughters, Sawyer and Levi Thompson, his sister Kathleen Dwyer, numerous nieces and nephews, and his caring nurse, Barbara Harvey. He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael McGinness, three sisters, Patricia Geoghegan, Eileen Torres, and Joan Walker, and his grandson, Michael Geraghty.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at 11:00 am on Friday, December 29, 2023, at the St. Ann Chapel located at 604 Main Street in Phoenixville, PA. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am - 10:45 am at the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home located at 610 Main Street, Phoenixville, PA. Officiating will be Rev. John Gibbons. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at Washington Memorial Chapel Churchyard, Valley Forge, PA. A luncheon reception will be held immediately following.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.