John R. "Jack" Sloan

John Richard Sloan, 95, a family man and community leader, passed away on February 5, 2022, peacefully in his sleep with his close family nearby. He survived his loving wife Esther (nee Michaels), and now leaves two daughters, Janet (Ken Allen) and Patricia, and two sons, Joseph (Ellen Sloan) and Michael (Lisa Sloan), and seven grandchildren: Lt. Cmdr Jack Sloan, Dave Sloan, Mary Ardrey (Ben Ardrey), Joe Sloan, Matt Sloan, Zach Taylor and Rob Sloan and great-granddaughter, Evelyn Sloan, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, great- nieces & nephews. Predeceased by his parents Joseph L. and Mary C. (nee O’Brien) Sloan and siblings, Dorothy Dailey, Joseph (Bud) Sloan, and Eileen Irwin. Affectionately known in his family and his large community as “Jack,” he resided in Johnstown nearly all of his life.  He left only to serve in the US Navy and to work briefly in Pittsburgh.  Jack married Esther in 1957 in Beaverdale.  His biggest sorrow in life was losing Esther 30 years ago.  Jack enlisted in the Navy at age 17 while a senior at Johnstown Catholic High School.  He served in the WWII Pacific Theatre, and he was involved in the landing on Luzon, the Philippines. Following his return to the US, he enrolled in St. Vincent College, Latrobe where he received an accounting degree in 1952 and later his CPA license.  He worked briefly in Pittsburgh at an accounting firm and was assigned to a branch office in Johnstown.  Eventually he and a business partner bought the office to form CE Wessel Company, still active. In 1967, he became treasurer of Laurel Management company, which operated the water system for the greater Johnstown area. In addition, the company owned a number of different local businesses, one of them a travel agency. In this way, Jack was able to travel to many places throughout the world, including the Vatican. Jack progressed to become the president, then Chairman of the Board for Laurel. Jack was a devoted member of the Parish of St. Benedict. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Geistown, with Fr. David S. Peles, Pastor. Entombment, St. Joseph Mausoleum. The family suggests memorial remembrances in memory of Jack Sloan may be made to Windber Hospice, 600 Somerset Ave., Windber. The family is being served by Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland. Online condolences may be posted at www.wharrisfuneralhome.com.