John T. Duke
Well-respected coach of community athletics
John T. “Duke” Duke, 65, of Canonsburg, Chartiers Township, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 27, 2013, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born December 20, 1947, in Southview, a son of the late William Charles and Anna Marie Malinak Duke.
Mr. Duke lived most of his life in Canonsburg and was a 1966 graduate of Fort Cherry High School.
He was a member of Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley.
Mr. Duke had served with the U.S. Army and had been employed as a machine operator at the former Forbes Steel and Wire until its closing in 1990. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed as a correction officer with SCI-Greene for 14 years.
He loved his family, God, gambling, golf and most sports.
Mr. Duke was a well-respected coach of community athletics most of his life.
On November 16, 1984, he married Lynda Wagner, who survives. Also surviving are five daughters, Carrie M. (Joseph E. Jr.) Bozic, Dee Dee (Tim) Conner, Casey Wagner, Ashley Duke and Anna Duke, all of Canonsburg; a son, William John “Charlie” Duke of Washington; ten grandchildren, Brittany and Brooke Bozic, Jacob Bendik, Riley and Eva Conner, Lauren and Sophia Duke, Taylor Wagner, Logan Setto and Madison Duke; five sisters, Elizabeth (Milan) Yilit of Avella, Barbara Purdy of McDonald, Evelyn Logar and Dorothy Markle, both of Washington, and Patricia (Joseph) Rolek of Canonsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, is a sister, Anna Marie Hete, who passed away April 23, 2009.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 31, with Pastor Barry Mariana officiating. Interment with full military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and American Legion Post 902 Honor Guard will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.