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John McCloskey Obituary
Jack was born in Mahanoy City, Pa., a coal-mining town, on Sept. 19, 1925. His mother, the former Beulah Spade, was a homemaker; his father, Eddie, was a miner.
Jack lettered in baseball, football and basketball in high school, then played football at the University of Pittsburgh before serving in the Navy at Okinawa during World War II.
After the war, he finished his education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to play three varsity sports. After graduating he played one game with the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA before becoming a teacher and high school basketball coach.
Jack became the head basketball coach at Penn in the mid-1950s and stayed there until he took over Wake Forest's program in 1966.
In 1972 Jack moved to the NBA, as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and later joined the Los Angeles Lakers and coach Jerry West's staff.
In 1979 he became general manager for the Detroit Pistons, where his steady leadership and canny decisions paved the way for their first two National Basketball Association Championships, in 1989 and '90.
In Detroit Jack drafted the future Hall of Fame players Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman. He also engineered a string of trades, earning the nickname Trader Jack. These moves were the genesis of what would become the Bad Boys team that would come to dominate the league.
After the NBA, Jack and Leslie retired to Skidaway Island, where he formed great friendships and kept his competitive juices flowing playing golf, tennis and bridge.
He is survived by his wife Leslie, six children from his first marriage, his sons, Michael, Steve, John and Roman, and his daughters, Robin and Molly McCloskey; a stepson, Ryan Gray; a stepdaughter, Lisa Haugen; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A Service will be held at 4pm on June 24th at the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, 54 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John McCloskey
Clarence Shuler
June 20, 2017
Jack, you truly enriched my life. I loved playing pick up basketball games with Steve, John, and Robin on the goal at the end of the street near your house in Winston-Salem. With all the racial tension in the city, my being black was never an issue with your family or you. Thanks so much for welcoming me into your home and life.
don casey
June 6, 2017
Jack McCloskey
would not have won two state champioships while coaching Bishop Eustace Prep; for he taught me ,the Penn State sliding zone --he frequent our pratices and was co-founder of the Basketball Camp at the Prep --we are talking 1960 on --
first day and I believe first wave at Okinawa at age 19 -think about it --
should be in the Hall of Fame -
Dwynne and I are sadden for he was important in our early life of coaching --pax--
Alona
June 6, 2017
May the God of comfort sustain you during this very difficult time.(Psalms 55:22)
sam white
June 6, 2017
enjoyed our tennis golf and friendship.
Richard Ragland
June 6, 2017
My love and prayers to all the family!
Rick Ragland
June 5, 2017
My love to all the family of Jack. My memories of him are fond, and my friendship with your family is a fine memory from my youth. John and I was in the same class, and it was a sad day when your family left Winston Salem. I will hope and pray for the progress of your father's journey into the worlds of Light.
With love, Rick Ragland
Sheehan family - Lisa (Julia Britton), Pat, Sarah, Melissa, Molly
June 5, 2017
Leslie and family,
Our sincere condolences to your family from ours. It was great to see Jack the last time he home to Mahanoy City. He's made our family so proud. He will be greatly missed!
With love
Julie Griffin
June 2, 2017
Jack was the basketball coach at Wake Forest when I was in school there and we ran into each other over the years. I liked and respected him so much. He was a good one!! Sincere condolences to his family.
June 5, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Betty
June 4, 2017
Offering condolences for your loss. May your cherished memories and God's loving kindness (John 3:16) help to strengthen and console your hearts always.
James Doyle
June 4, 2017
Our sincere condolences to Leslie and all of Jack's children and family on The occasion of Jack's death.
We got to know him while living at the Landings after his legendary basketball career. The accolades continued and I remember how proud we all were when they raised his banner over the court in Detroit. He was truly a great but humble man.
I was captain of our Thursday golf group for many years and I remember how much we all appreciated the many days we got to play with him. He was as fierce a competitor in golf as he was in basketball .
Bob Weinhauer, who succeeded Jack at Penn and then became a friend and member of our golf group at the Landings will attest to that fact.
Perhaps our fondest memories are of Jack's interactions during the roll for drinks after golf. His sense of humor and competiveness made the afternoons so much more enjoyable.
God speed Jack . You will be missed by all who knew you.
June 4, 2017
Truly saddened to hear about Jack McCloskey. His fine legacy will surely be remembered. I hope to meet him in Paradise! (Luke23:43)
Carmen
June 4, 2017
My condolences may the family draw close to God and he draws close to those broken hearted and crushed in spirit soon all sicknes will be no more.
June 4, 2017
McCloskey Family, Friends,
We are sadden to learn of the passing of a great
general manager. He was also a nice guy. He loved sports. He did a excellent jobs with pistons.
Our prayers are with the family and all those who loved him. God is our refuge and strength.
PS.46:1
Milt Northrop
June 3, 2017
Jack was a great friend of another great guy from Philly, Dr. Jack Ramsay. I remember him as the coach at Penn in the early 1960s.
June 3, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family for your loss. May the God of comfort support you during this difficult time.-1Peter 5 : 7
June 3, 2017
Although words cannot fully heal the pain that death brings, I hope those mourning will find strength in the thought at Psalms 49:15, where God promises that he will redeem those lost to death.
June 3, 2017
Offering heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr McCloskey. May God grant solace to the bereaved during this most challenging time.
June 3, 2017
My condolences goes to the Mccloskey family for the loss of Jack. It was good to know that Mr. Mccloskey contributed a great amount to basketball, which made it enjoying. That's a great thing to have accomplished. The scriptures instruct us that: Isaiah 49:15 helps us to appreciate that our Heavenly Father never forgets us and even such loved ones who are no longer living, even after others may forget. He also proves to be a refuge and safehaven during times of distress.
Adrian Barnette
June 3, 2017
We'll miss you !
June 3, 2017
My condolences to the family. May God grant you peace to cope with your loss Phillippians 4:6,7.
June 3, 2017
Time will pass and the pain will lessen. But the wonderful memories will be forever present of someone who was very special to this family.
June 2, 2017
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Carlotta
June 2, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Mccloskey family and friends at this difficult time.
Adrian Barnette
June 2, 2017
We'll miss you !
Marjorie Martinez
June 2, 2017
May Jehova sustain you at this time of such a great loss
June 2, 2017
May the Father of tender mercies help you through these difficult days.
Jay Randall
June 2, 2017
He was a fierce competitor and a great coach. I gained lots of opportunities by playing for Coach. He brought winning basketball back to Wake and successfully integrated basketball there.. Thanks for the great memories, Coach.
Carline
June 2, 2017
My sincere condolences on your loss. May the 'God of all Comfort' strengthen you during this difficult time.
June 2, 2017
Deepest condolences to loved ones and friends.
Jimmy Broadway
June 2, 2017
Sorry to here about Coach McCloskey. I wish his family the best! My time I had with Jack at Wake Forest was great.
Bek Howell Blake
June 2, 2017
Love seeing that genuine smile/laugh on that shining face. From one of your top Wake Forest U fans and friend
Adrian Barnette
June 2, 2017
We'll miss you !
June 2, 2017
It is more than interesting to watch those who are a 'cut above' do what they love to do best.
Many emulate such ones. Making such strides do lead to satisfaction or promulgate to higher proofs. Among his contemporaries, Jack will be missed. Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Rhonda
June 2, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family. May the hearer of prayer, comfort you all throughout this most difficult time.
Matthew 21:22 -
June 2, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family. Jack lived a long life and will be remembered by many people. He reminds me of the passage at Psalms 90:10, an especially strong individual.
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