John J. Mcgroarty, Jr.

John Joseph McGroarty Jr. of New Britain, PA passed away peacefully on Wednesday,

September 18 th , 2024, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Born June 6 th , 1942, to Evelyn

and John McGroarty Sr, he was one of four children born in Philadelphia, PA and later raised in

Horsham, PA.

John received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from LaSalle University, a Master’s and Doctoral

Degree in Education from Temple University, after which he taught in the Bucks County School

District for 36 years. John was a man of deep faith, an observant Irish Catholic who served as a

Eucharist minister for St. Jude Church in Chalfont, a teacher for the Confraternity of Christian

Doctrine (CCD), and one who cultivated deep and life-long friendships with parishioners and

members of the clergy. He regularly donated to charitable organizations and was a member of

the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 03.

Ever a teacher, John loved being involved in his kids' lives and activities. He served as a soccer

coach, a baseball coach, a football booster club president, a bocce coach, and a long-time

supporter of Bucks County Special Olympics.

John was married to Jane for 53 years and she was his remarkable caretaker as his health

declined. He had incredibly close friendships with the McGroarty and Stiglitz sides of the family,

a fact that resonates and inspires the children that they raised. Watching his children grow and

then watching them start their own families was a source of great pride. He loved the trips to

see family in Western PA, at Dickinson, and Penn State, and that camaraderie that was a

driving force in his life. He taught in many ways, often by example, that material things are of

little value – that laughter, love, friends, and family are what defines you – and what you will

leave behind.

John will be remembered for many things: his sense of humor and willingness to laugh at

himself, his dedication to learning and education, his open-mindedness and compassion, his

faith and Irish Catholic roots, his playfulness with his kids and grandkids, his unwavering

support of his family and friends, and last but definitely not least, his remarkable Donald Duck

impersonation, which delighted everyone lucky enough to hear it. He will be dearly missed by

all those who knew him.

John is preceded in death by his sister Mary and his parents – Evelyn and John Sr.

John is survived by his brother James, sister Rosaleen, wife Jane, three sons, Michael & wife

Amy, Patrick, Chris & his wife Lindsay, his daughter Janelle, and his seven grandchildren –

Brenden, Braylee, Nicole, Carson, Chase, Kaija, and Rhys.

A viewing will be held at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (100 Broad Street, Hilltown Township, PA

18927) on Friday Oct. 4 th at 10 a.m., followed by a mass service at the same location starting at

11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Bucks County Special Olympics or

Central Bucks Special Friends. Donations can be made online at

https://support.specialolympics.org and selecting the memorial gift option, or sent to the

locations listed below.

Special Olympics Bucks County

c/o Dorothy Grow

1101 Tennis Avenue

Bensalem, PA 19020

Central Bucks Special Friends

c/o Joann Matullo

56 Radcliffe Drive

Doylestown, PA 18901