Obituary of John C. Lowry

John C. Lowry After two years of declining health and a tearful but joyful last day of sharing stories with family, John C. Lowry, 67, of Shaler and Shadyside passed peacefully on Sept. 8 at UPMC St. Margaret. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, Peabody High School and Washington Vocational School, where he learned the auto body trade. Cars and family were John’s lifelong passions, although not in that order. He loved fishing, boating and camping on the Clarion River; riding his Harley Sportster; working on cars and trucks with his sons; going to car shows and car cruises; Ford trucks and family reunions. He still had a cupboard full of model cars and trucks he made as a boy (but wisely “parted out” the pink ’49 Ford convertible his sister made). John was a much loved, helpful and jocular son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He worked at Robert Murray and Don Kuhn auto body shops as well as his own firm, Morningside Collision. He is survived by Jean Albert, his partner of 25 years; his sons (with former wife Melinda Cattley) John (Megan) Lowry of Sarver, Justin (Rosalie) Lowry of Indiana, Pa.; grandchildren Maria, Derek and Nathan Lowry and Will, Luke, Finn and Lucy Lowry; sister Patricia of Shadyside; Jean’s sons John (Jessie) Albert, Joe (Jen) Albert, Jake Albert, Jordan (Shawn) Albert and Tony Swidorsky; grandchildren Carter, Savannah and Caleb Albert; Dria and Jayden Albert; and Ace Albert. Also survived by nieces and nephews Merika Machi, Caryn Lowry (Bill) Scott, Lisa Lowry (Dan Lukaszewicz), Christy Lowry and James Lowry; five grandnieces and two grandnephews; cousin Leslie Gunn Cook and 18 other first cousins. John was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand C. and Ethel C. Lowry, and his brother James. Family and friends are welcome to celebrate John’s life on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 3 to 8 p.m. with a memorial service at 7 p.m. at McCabe Brothers Funeral Home, 6214 Walnut Street, Shadyside. Interment private. Condolences may be left at www.mccabebrothers.com or www.post-gazette.com. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of UPMC St. Margaret, especially his hospice nurse Erika, for making his last two weeks as comfortable as possible and his last day meaningful and memorable.