When Calvary Camp staff members - not exactly where they were supposed to be at the moment - were asked, "Hey! Who's watching the kids?" the witty but accurate reply was "Goat and God!"

To say that Goat was the ultimate cabin counselor is the best way I can imagine to begin to capture his commitment to children and the love he shared so freely. This giant in every sense of the word will be deeply missed.

John was a very kind man and dear friend of my parents and grandparents. He will be missed!

John was always such a pleasure to be around. He was a hard worker, but he knew how to have fun too. He would surprise you with his humor like it took a second for you to realize what he said. He was clever in that way. I always had hope that he would come into the library one more time at least as a patron, but I guess God had other plans. He will be missed.

It was always a blessing having John helping out in the children's room at the library. His gentle spirit, warm smile, and contagious laughter will be greatly missed. I will certainly miss chatting about middle grade fiction with him--he was always reading something interesting.

Sending my love to his family and friends.

John’s mother introduced John to me at Carnegie Mellon 44 years ago. We’ve been friends ever since. With Bruce Schoyer we became fixtures at Pitt basketball games for four decades.

John was a bright soul. You rarely saw him carrying anything but a smile. He had a wry sense of humor and could disarm you with a zinger. I have so many memories of fun times with John at ballgames and parties. To know him was to love him.

Rest In Peace, old friend.

John, you are a loving soul, vivid memories of you. So sorry you are gone from the world. you will be missed forever.

Goat was such a wonderfully unforgettable character and an absolute gem of a human being. I have more fond memories of the man than I could ever count. My heart aches for all of us who knew and loved John.

He raised an entire generation of Calvary Campers. Hell, he raised two. Uncle to a whole town of now teary eyed Anglicans.

And what a backhand! ....okay, maybe not that.

"Outside a person's love the most sacred thing they can give is their labor." - Surely John gave us all both.