Life – a vale of tears? To me, it was rather a joy of discovery. Despite my longtime illness of Juvenile Diabetes, I lived a wonderful life filled with fantastic adventures and incredible people, who have made this journey truly unforgettable.
With my best friend, John Paradise, I saw the moonlit Grand Canyon, was blinded by the sunset over the Rockies, and felt the New England wind in my face right before I shattered my leg in a Harley accident. We shared a love for craftsmanship and architecture. When I couldn’t work in construction, I still made a fine porch swing and one hell of a birdhouse.
Sports always played a major role in my life, basketball in particular. From my days in the halls of Scranton Prep to the courts at Georgetown University, the friends I made stayed close throughout my life. The only thing I loved more than good competition, was winning.
I was the youngest of six born to Dorothy Boland Reddington and J. Frank Reddington, MD and had a happy childhood with my three sisters Franny, Dodo, and Cinda, and my brother Nick. All of my siblings grew up to be very different people, but to each of them I stayed the baby of the family.
When my kidneys began to fail, Dodo did the research on kidney transplants assuming she would be the donor, however, Franny turned out to be the perfect match. Giving an organ is not easy and I was always so thankful to her and to her husband, Joe Garvey, who supported her in that decision and helped me so much over the years.
I was so proud of my accomplished and thoughtful nieces and nephews who married wonderful people: Franny/Rick (John R.I.P), Bubba/Rachel, Kathleen/Jeremy, Christian/Jeanine, Joey/Treena, Jennifer Darling/Eric, and Billy/TBD (607-592-0147), and I adored their considerate and inquisitive children and our family’s next generation of storytellers: Annie, Jackie, Jimmy, Will, Mary Kate, Tommy, Max, John, Eric, and Jack.
The single most important person in my life – and the reason I made it to 66 – was my wife, my ”dahlink”, Silke. She was not only my foundation of love and kindness, but is beloved by my family and friends. Together we experienced the splendor of the world, the joys of traveling with countless friends, and the laughter of true love.
To all of you who shared in this wonderful adventure, thank you. I hope it was as exciting for you as it was for me. TTFN.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 21, at 1 pm in the Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Avenue, Scranton.
Friends may call Friday, October 20, from 4-7pm in the Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash Street, Scranton, as well as Saturday from 12:00 – 12:50 pm in the church.
In lieu of flowers, please honor John’s love of books by making a contribution to the Albright Memorial Library, 500 Vine Street, Scranton, PA 18509.