John Porter Reager

1942 - 2023

After only finishing half of his Irish whiskey, John Porter Reager gave his wife of 50 years, Nancy Reager, a half smile and a thumbs up before peacefully passing away in his sleep. This was one of the few times he left anything unfinished, and those around him were always the better for it.

Born Jan. 22, 1942, to Helen Sullivan and John Reager in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he was the oldest of six children and raised in a fiercely Irish household. A math and science teacher of 40 years in Perth Amboy School District, he was an advocate, a tutor and often a no-nonsense guiding voice in his students' lives. While never receiving an invitation to compete on Jeopardy, those who knew him from his domination of Trivia Pursuit knew firsthand his unyielding passion for history and for consuming all things written. As an Eagle Scout, John would become renowned for his ability to prepare eggs and bacon in the same pan over a fire. His summers were spent in Seaside Park, New Jersey where, in his early days working at Island Beach State Park (that period known as "Early Sand" to he and Nancy), his lunch would consist periodically poaching clam beds to enjoy with the rest of the day's crew before getting back to work. Later, with family, he would captain the "You Go First" with his reluctant crew and his children, Kate and Jack, around those same spots in Barnegat Bay. His garden and golf filled his time in the warmer months before returning to teach every year.

John was devoted to his family and embraced his role of grandfather to Quin, Lilly and John. Upon retiring to Dunmore with Nancy, he took up fencing his grandchildren with Nerf swords and staying engrossed in politics. He lived for his friends and family and while in many ways loomed larger than life, he was full of love for those around him.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and leaves behind his wife, Nancy; daughter, Kate Bendixen; son, Jack Reager; and a swath of friends and family who were the better for having met him.

A private Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Monsignor Neil J. Van Loon at St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton. Interment was in Dunmore Cemetery.

Arrangements, Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge St., Dunmore.