Name: Visitation for Dr. John F. "Jack" Ahern
Start: 2022-07-28T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-07-28T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Sujkowski-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory - Rossford

Dr. John "Jack" F. Ahern

October 14, 1936 - July 23, 2022

Dr. John "Jack" Francis Ahern, 85, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2022, at Landings of Oregon, Ohio. Jack was born on October 14, 1936 in Manchester, New Hampshire to Col. John and Mary M. (Devine) Ahern. At the University of Toledo, he served as Chair of the Faculty Senate, was a recipient of The Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Thompson Award for Student service. For many years, he led university tours of Ireland.

His publications include a number of monographs about Birmingham's ethnic neighborhood as well as many works on social studies methods including his first book "Ideas" and his last work "Linking Life with Literature" co-authored with Alexa Sandmann, which was published by the National Council for the Social Studies.

He served as President of the Ohio Council for the Social Studies, The Lucas County Retired Teacher's Association, and the Rossford Board of Education. He served on many boards, including the University of Toledo Retirees Association, Historic Perrysburg, Maumee Valley Historic Society, The Way Library Foundation, and Cardinal Stritch High School. He received the Birmingham Friend of the Neighborhood Award and was inducted into the Birmingham Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his beloved sons, Mark (Kara Pastorek) and Matt (Teeka Garrett); grandchildren, Rowan (Richard), Calvin, Chloe, Elias, Claire Anne, Isaiah; and many nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife and best friend, Anne Mary (O'Brien) Ahern; and infant grandson, William John (son of Mark).

Family and friends may visit at the Sujkowski-Walker Funeral Home, 830 Lime City Rd., on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services at 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be private at Ft. Meigs Cemetery in Perrysburg. Contributions in Jack's memory may be directed to Southern Poverty Law Center (400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104) and Cardinal Stritch High School (3225 Pickle Rd., Oregon, OH 43616).

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Published by The Blade on Jul. 28, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John Ahern

12 Entries

Christine Smallman

July 24, 2023

Remember Dr. Ahern - Colleague, mentor and friend.

Dr. Christine Smallman - UT retiree

Kathlyne Aylward

August 27, 2022

Dear Mark and Matt,

I am sad to hear of your Dad´s death. I am his cousin (Simpson) from NH and Fl. I have always loved spending time with Jackie since I was child. We reconnected through our Fl family reunions. Loved your mother too. He had planned another visit to see me before Covid however we did communicate through email. So enjoyed all the photos of his home. He left his mark and lived a great life. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Susan Fortney

July 31, 2022

He was my advisor at UT. Dr. Ahern was well respected and loved by his students.

Mary Jo Kesting Campbell

July 29, 2022

Remember Dr. Ahearn from my college days at the University of Toledo. He was exactly as described by Dr. Sandman, his colleague. He had a terrific impact on me and many other students. May he rest in peace.

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Dr. Christine Smallman

July 29, 2022

Remember Jack well. Outstanding contributor to the University's mission and phenomenal faculty member.

Shane Lehane

July 29, 2022

I am so sad to hear of the passing of my great friend and one who was such a joyous inspiration to many. I met Jack when he first brought students from the University of Toledo to study in University College Cork in Ireland, over 30 years ago. Jack and Anne's tours were sensational and I had the pleasure of being the organiser and tour-guide for the many tours over the years.

We mixed serious and important academic content with incredible field-trips along with memorable nights of singing and laughing. The formula was simple: Jack Ahern, a sincere and heartfelt love of Ireland, an inquiring and questioning mind and a penchant for pure fun. (His duets with Anne and his marching with flags were always a highlight!) Trips to Skellig Michael, Trinity College Dublin, Belfast, Mayo, Newgrange, Tara, Clonmacnoise and every great house and garden: we did them all and in style.)

I was the guest of Jack and Anne in Toledo for many years and was brought to see some amazing things there. They made a lasting impression that I have have brought in to my own lecturing with my own students.

Jack was such an important influence on me as a young man and I learned so much from him over the many years. We kept in touch and Anne's sickness and passing hit him hard. His emails and messages were like his letters with clippings over the years. I loved his complete carefree nature when it came to minor issues like spelling or legible writing: he was too manically interested in life and learning to be bothered by such minor issues.

I will miss him, I will shed a tear, I will fill a glass and think of him often and smile. I count myself lucky: I knew Jack and he and I, despite our age difference were great friends.

Slán mó seanchara agus codladh samh.

So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate´er befalls
Then gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

robert dickinson

July 29, 2022

Dr. Ahern was the best!

Robert Dickinson

Karen Kells Swartz

July 28, 2022

I am so sorry for your loss. I was in several of Dr. Ahern's classes throughout my time at UT. One of my favorite classes he taught in the summer was Teaching Local History.
His enthusiasm and passion for teaching were truly inspiring. He also had a great sense of humor. I can remember him telling jokes and stories, and flipping up the end of his tie for emphasis.
I'll always remember him and how he helped influence my teaching career.

Linda Tremp Waters

July 28, 2022

Many many years ago, I had Dr. Ahern as a student at the University of Toledo. He was as kind as he was intelligent. He inspired me to work with people and seemed to really enjoy his role as an educator of educators. I am sad to learn of his passing. I never forgot him. May his memory be a blessing.

Debby Geyer

July 28, 2022

I was a student in Dr. Ahern's undergrad class and remembered his enthusiasm and passion for teaching which was contagious.
Later in life I was fortunate to co-teach with Jack and he continued to inspire me. He was a wonderful friend, husband and father.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand, my friend.

John Kirkbride

July 28, 2022

So sorry to read about Jack's death.
He was a great teacher.

Debbie Mens

July 27, 2022

Dr. Ahern made an impact on my teaching career. He shared many valuable teaching strategies during my undergraduate coursework.

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