John J. Sickler

PHOENIXVILLE — John J. Sickler of Phoenixville, Pa., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at the age of 82.

John was born March 16, 1942, in Nesbitt Memorial Hospital in Kingston, Pa., to the late Byron W. Sickler and Ann I. (Alexander) Sickler. Coincidentally, Nesbitt Hospital is where John would meet Doris, the love of his life, who he nicknamed "Dee." John and Dee were married on June 12, 1965, and recently celebrated 59 years of marriage.

After graduating from Kingston High School in 1960, John went on to study accounting at Wilkes University where he was a dean's list student; treasurer of Circle K, a service and leadership club; associate editor of The Beacon, the school newspaper; and member of the accounting club. John also completed an executive education program of corporate financial management at Harvard Business School in 1977.

Upon graduating from Wilkes University in 1965, he passed the CPA exam and went to work for Price Waterhouse & Co. in Philadelphia, where he stayed until 1972. It was then he began his 35-year career with Teleflex Incorporated as corporate controller. During his time at Teleflex he had many roles with increasing responsibility including CFO, president of the aerospace segment, head of corporate development, and president of the medical group, before eventually retiring as vice chairman of Teleflex in 2007.

The son of a bus driver and a seamstress, John always favored the underdog and was committed to giving back to his community. He served as president of the board of directors of the Phoenixville Area YMCA, and president of the board of directors at Phoenixville Hospital. During his service with Phoenixville Hospital, he helped guide the sale of the hospital to the University of Pennsylvania for $32 million. Funds from the transaction were used to establish the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, which provides grants to support community health. Through the Sickler Family Foundation, John and Doris supported a variety of community organizations. Some of his favorites included the Phoenixville Foundry, Colonial Theater, Franklin Institute, Constitution Center, and University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

John was a visionary who strongly believed in education and hard work. He continued to support his alma mater throughout the years through numerous initiatives, and in 2016 established the Sickler Family Scholarship at Wilkes University. He also endowed the Sickler Family Scholarship at George Washington University, and served on the dean's advisory board.

On any given Sunday you could find John cheering on his Philadelphia Eagles. He had many seasons of never missing a home game during his 55 years as a season ticket holder. He loved being with the crowds, whether at Franklin Field, the Vet, or most recently, Section 204 at the Linc. John attended Superbowl XV and Superbowl XXXIX.

Above all, John was a devoted husband, and supremely proud father and grandfather. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with his family, especially when they could all be together. He traveled the world, but his favorite trips of all time were the two family vacations with everyone in attendance — one to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and another to Alaska.

John is survived by his wife Doris; daughter, Beth DeBruyn (Chris); son, John Jr. (Alexandra Aitken); daughter, Donna Anthony (Chad); and his beloved grandchildren: John III (Na), Joseph (Ifath Nitole Iftikhar), Travis DeBruyn, Hadley DeBruyn, Miriam Anthony, Porter Anthony and Benjamin Anthony. John is also survived by his brother, Brian Sickler.

Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral Mass for John at St. Basil the Great Church, 2330 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville, Pa. at 11:00 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph P. Gentili, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, in Buckingham, Pa., will officiate.

The family receive visitors at Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, 610 S. Main St., Phoenixville, Pa., from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday.

Condolences may be offered by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home Inc., Phoenixville, Pa.