John W. Peck II

1947 - 2024

John W. Peck, II, 77, died in the Lord on July 18, 2024. He was born on April 16, 1947, in New Kensington to the late Sheriff John and Jeanne Peck. He was a 1965 graduate of the Pontifical College Josephinum (high school seminary) in Columbus, OH, a 1969 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, and a 1973 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law. John's family was his life's greatest joy. He began dating Cynthia A. Serluco in July 1978. They fell in love immediately and were married in December of the same year. Throughout their 45 five years of marriage, John and Cindy complemented each other beautifully. He helped her not to worry so much, and she helped him develop his fun-loving side! Several years into their marriage, John supported Cindy in her desire to return to school for the sake of becoming an elementary educator. Although John was the sort who eats to live rather than lives to eat (he always ordered the simplest thing on restaurant menus), he loved Cindy's famously delicious cooking. They loved quiet dinners at home on weeknights and going on outings to Ambrose Farm to buy tomatoes. There was never a more loving and nurturing dad than John. No matter how time-consuming his work was, he always had an abundance of time for his children, John and Taylor. When the kids were small, every Saturday brought an education outing, usually to the Carnegie Museum or the National Aviary. He loved reading to Taylor and teaching her to ride her bike. He treated John to breakfast at Eat'n Park every Saturday morning before catechism classes at St. Joseph Church. Father and son spent countless hours in the backyard playing catch. John loved cheering for Taylor at her softball games. In his later life, nothing excited John more than spending time with his grandchildren, Maddox and Blakely Carr of North Strabane. He marveled at their developing personalities and rejoiced at all their milestones. He was always on the lookout for a fun children's book to buy and read to them. He loved throwing Wiffle balls in the backyard for Maddox to hit and run the bases. He loved going to Blakely's dance recitals. He and Cindy enthusiastically cheered for Maddox and Blakely at their Saturday morning soccer matches. He served as an Assistant Public Defender and then as an Assistant District Attorney in Westmoreland County. In 1994, the County Judges appointed John to succeed his great friend, Judge John J. Driscoll, as District Attorney. The People subsequently elected John to be District Attorney six times, and he served until December 2021. He loved working with his fellow attorneys, the county detectives (especially their former chief and his great friend Mike Brajdich), and the office's outstanding staff. His two assistants, Darla Smith and Marta Urban, were always impeccably dependable. Although John enjoyed administering the District Attorney's office, his greatest passion in the job was presenting evidence and arguing cases in jury trials. When in trial, he sacrificed much sleep planning his lines of question and preparing arguments. He always said that a trial lawyer should never ask a question without knowing beforehand how the witness would answer. In every way, he discharged the duties of his office with the utmost care and integrity. As one of his assistant district attorneys said, 'John always did the right thing for the right reason.' John was deeply devoted to his Catholic Faith. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Church in New Kensington, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. While DA, he left home before dawn each day to participate in morning Masses at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Our Lady of Grace Church, or Saint Emma Monastery. He loved praying the Rosary each morning and reading widely and deeply about all aspects of Catholicism. He indefatigably supported his son's vocation to the Priesthood and to the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Among his other passions were taking the family on summer vacations to Bethany Beach, DE, running (he completed the Pittsburgh Marathon twice in his thirties), cycling, and reading extremely long books about the great personages and events of world history. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cynthia A. Peck; his son, Rev. John W. Peck, SJ, of St. Louis, MO; his daughter, L. Taylor Carr (Dr. Christopher); grandchildren, Maddox and Blakely Carr of North Strabane; his brother, David Peck; his sister, Cheryl J. Peck Yakopec (Steven) of Lower Burrell; many beloved nieces and nephews, and cherished friends. Viewing will take place from 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 22 in ROSS G WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington. Prayers of Transfer will be said at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, followed by a Christian Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 1125 Leishman Ave., New Kensington, 15068. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. Those desiring may contribute to Catholic charities through the Diocese of Greensburg.