John Singer

John J. Singer, 68, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, with his family by his side.

John was born Aug. 14, 1957, and raised in Wilkes-Barre in the family homestead, where some of you may recall the donkey of South Wilkes-Barre, Nellie Belle.

He was a graduate of Meyers High School, Class of 1975. John had a 30-year career at HPG in Mountaintop, performed maintenance for Luzerne County, part-time at Main Hardware, and, most recently, was co-owner at the Octagon Family Restaurant in Plymouth with his wife, Patty, and children from 2008 to 2016.

Any person who has crossed paths with John would say, "he made me laugh." John was a jokester and a prankster who could put a smile on anyone's face, regardless of how bad their day was. And no matter how bad his day was, he was there to help.

John was a loving husband of 45 years, son, brother, and friend. However, his most important roles in life were as Dad and Pop Pop. As his children grew up, he was a coach, teacher, and fixer of all things. No matter how busy or hard life became, he always had the answers or would help figure it out.

John became ill in 2012, and as the years went on, the number of grandchildren continued to grow, and they were his reason for pushing through each day. No matter how he felt, if the grandkids were coming, it was going to be a great day. He taught them how to ride bikes and to fish, was their biggest cheerleader in whatever they were doing, turned a hug into a tickle fest, while creating little pranksters (famous words of "Don't tell Nana…").

He was preceded in death by his father, John F. Singer; brother-in-law, Timothy Dotson; and his grandson, Nathan (the Superhero) Gray. We can only imagine the reunion John must have had with his little buddy, Nathan, whom he missed with every breath he took.

John will be sadly missed by his devoted wife, Patty Singer; mother, Gwendolyn Singer, Wilkes- Barre; a sister, Gwen Bruno and husband, John, Plymouth; sister-in-law, Donna Dotson, Virginia; children, Tricia Gray and husband, Jeff, Wilkes-Barre; and Patrick Singer, and wife, Rhian, Spring Brook; grandchildren, Jeffrey and Natalie Gray, Auria, Russell, and Sophia Singer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 6 p.m. in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.

Family and friends will gather on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until the Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Nathan Gray Perseverance Award, Checks payable to: Wilkes-Barre Area High School, Attn: Joe Gallamo, 2021 Wolfpack Way, Plains Twp., PA 18702.

Arrangements were entrusted to Daniel J. Hughes Funeral & Cremation Service, Wilkes-Barre.