John Patrick Reddington Ph.D.

1937 - 2023

Family and friends alike mourn the passing of John P. Reddington, 85, of Newark, Delaware (formerly of Pittston, Pennsylvania) on February 10, 2023.

Born in the Cork Lane section of Pittston, Pennsylvania on March 16, 1937, John was the third of four children born to Robert "Bob" Reddington Sr. and Mary Collier Reddington. Mary was an avid and expert gardener, Bob was a jack of all trades, and Aunt Katie (Bob's sister) who lived with them, was a school teacher. The Reddington children grew up in an atmosphere of kindness, decency, hard work, humor, and music.

John attended Scranton Preparatory School (Prep) where his love of Latin and language began and where he developed many lifelong friendships. It was also during his Prep days that he discovered a passion for classical music through a chance invitation from a classmate's family to attend an opera at The Met in New York City. This love of music continued throughout his lifetime.

After graduating from Prep in 1955, John went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Scranton, a Master of Arts in English Literature from Louisiana State University, and a PhD in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). Also, while attending the University of Scranton, John spent his summers as a counselor at Camp Swago in Damascus, PA, there, too, developing lifelong friendships with fellow counselors with whom he remained in contact.

Upon graduation from Penn in the late 1960s, John moved to Newark, DE to take a position at the University of Delaware in the English Department and purchase his first home - a home in which he lived independently until his death. Following his time at University of Delaware, John taught at Skyline Junior High School for a few years before transitioning to teach Honors English and Latin at Newark High School until his retirement in 2000. John loved Latin and would frequently, spontaneously describe the Latin roots of a word while in conversation. His students liked to call him "Doc."

Famous for MacGyver-esque solutions to his many DIY home projects, one of John's most notable "solutions" was the annual erection of a temporary awning (aka, the famous blue tarp) that sheltered his patio from the sunlight. He spent many a summer afternoon on the patio enjoying the company of friends, delighting in the beautiful light that filtered through the trees, the flight of the yellow finches, the buttercups that grew randomly in his lawn, and the loveliness of the willow tree and peony bush which were the fruits of plantings from his home in Cork Lane. All these things he loved about his patio - until the dreaded hour when the no-see-ums made their arrival.

John was a very social being. His home in Newark was a gathering place for legendary celebrations of St. Patrick's Day and the Fourth of July - for decades. He treasured holidays with family (especially the meals); sitting under the arbor at his nephew's home on a summer night (if it wasn't too hot); driving to visit cherished friends in Ohio and Boston (well, maybe not the driving part); outings to the Blue Rocks baseball games (only on the nights there were fireworks); game nights ("They don't take it seriously!"); watching sports and attending plays, concerts, movies, and dining with friends; reading The New Yorker and The New York Times; the exchange of political views, and great conversation. John gave us all the gift of his friendship and love. He will be truly and deeply missed.

John was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert and Mary Reddington, Sr., brother Robert Reddington Jr. (Mary Alice); sister Nancy Reddington Saltzman (Eric). He is survived by his sister Mary Catherine Reddington McGinty (Pittston, PA), along with many nieces and nephews and their families. John will also be greatly missed by his many beloved friends.

A celebration of life will be held at the family's convenience.