Dr. John L. "Doc" Ravin

WEST NANTICOKE — John L. "Doc" Ravin, D.D.S, 81, of Tilbury Terrace, West Nanticoke, completed his journey on Earth early Sunday morning, March 30, 2014, and has gone home to our Lord. He was born in Glen Lyon, a son of Elizabeth and Peter Ravin, the youngest of their four sons.

He attended Newport High School where he excelled at basketball, baseball and football. Upon graduation he was recruited by hall of fame coach Lou Little from Columbia University. He was awarded a full scholarship and started as a fullback for four years, being an integral part of Columbia's many victories.

Upon completion of his college education, John attended Temple Dental School.

During his summers, he worked as a Tastykake deliveryman, where he met and married his "sweetie," Joan Cooper of Larksville.

In 1957, they moved to Little Rock, Ark., where he completed his tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force and celebrated the birth of their first daughter.

"Doc" as many called him, then returned to the Wyoming Valley, where he began his dental practice, first in Shickshinny, then Glen Lyon, and finally in Nanticoke. He was known to all as an excellent practitioner who often donated his services to the needy of the area until he retired in 1994.

During his life, he served on the board of directors of People's Bank in Nanticoke, was elected president of the Wyoming Valley Dental Society and was an active member of the Rotary Club where he hosted, in his home, several exchange students from Sweden, Australia and Argentina.

He served as a school board member for several terms during which he was an integral part in negotiating the first union contract in the Nanticoke Area School District. He was an active member of the Wyoming Valley Country Club. Despite spending a great deal of time on the links, he worked very hard during his term as House Manager and serving on the board.

Doc was a man of many interests, who loved to hunt, fish and play golf. When his daughters were young, he could often be found at White Eagle with his family in a fishing boat, hiking through the woods, teaching them about nature or at the shooting range where he taught them riflery.

He and his wife took many fishing vacations to Canada and Wyoming, where they enjoyed nature while fishing for northern pike, walleye or salmon. For quite a number of years, he would join his friends for their annual trip to Anacosti Island to hunt whitetail deer.

Upon retirement, Doc and his wife spent many winters in Florida, where they played most of the top courses the state had to offer. Many days he could be found down at the high school watching football practices, as well as, in the bleachers watching football and basketball games, cheering on the Trojans and the players he knew. He reactivated the Boys Biddy Basketball League at Pope John Paul II School, where he proudly led his grandson's team to the school's first championship.

When Doc was home, he continued to be active in the lives of his children, grandchildren and their friends. "Doc" could often be found in his favorite chair in the recreation room surrounded by his daughters, grandchildren and their friends where they would watch football and basketball together enjoying the great hors d'oeuvre he served.

He was a fabulous cook and his table was filled with us all, where we would enjoy good food, wine and conversation. During this time, he taught them about history and life in general, imparting the importance of education, honor and integrity. During his illness, the family received many calls and visits from "the kids" saying how important he was in helping them to become the successes they are today. He will be sorely missed by so many.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his oldest brother, Louis.

John is survived by Joan, his wife of 57 years; daughters, Lynn Ravin; Judy Wysocki and her husband, Tom, Marlton, N.J.; and his grandchildren, Jonathan Hicks and wife, Kate; Jennifer Hicks, Peter and Susan Wysocki; also surviving are his brothers Dr. Peter Ravin and his wife, Jinny; Dr. Joe Ravin and his wife, Stasia; and sister-in-law, Mary Ravin; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday from Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 173 E. Green St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. in St. Faustina Parish. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may call 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be made on our website at www.kearneyfuneralhomeinc.com.