John H. (Jr.) Blaese

John Harrison Blaese Jr. passed away Thursday September 29, 2024, at the age of 94. John was the beloved husband of Margaret Elizabeth Murray, who preceded him in death. They were married for more than 50 years. They raised 5 children and a grandson  in the same house in Willow Grove, PA. 

John (better known as Jack)  was born on December 3, 1929 in Olney, Philadelphia PA. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for eight years, and was Honorably Discharged as a second class petty officer.

He worked as a typesetter and spent the majority of his years with the Philadelphia firm, Ruttle, Shaw and Wetherill with whom he started as a Journeyman typesetter and ultimately retired as Vice President. During his tenure, he was always respected by senior management as well as members of the workforce who reported to him. 

John was a brave man who married a widow with five children when he was in his thirties. John and Margaret met at the Upper Moreland Swim Club through Ann and Bill Newberry. They had many of the same interests and enjoyed their friends and had some fun parties. In 1978 they went on a cruise to Bermuda with friends. They owned a boat called the Elizabeth which they kept at Ship Bottom, New Jersey. Margaret’s brothers- in- law, Robert Hotchkiss and Charles Robert Kiesling kept an eye on her and became lifelong friends of Jack.

 At home he took great pride in maintaining the house. He was always working on projects like paneling, painting, installing a divider in the girls’ room and generally doing what needed to be fixed. He enjoyed maintaining the yard and had a shed out back where he housed his equipment including a ride-on mower.

John enjoyed watching sports of any kind. He was a big Eagles and Phillies fan. Jack was an avid sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching his hometown teams. He would gladly offer his keen insights about “Last Night's Game”! He was fond of listening to music. He would play his tunes in the car and at dinner every night. He listened to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Perry Como and many more.

He loved and was devoted to Margaret and all of the children.The kids sure did give him lots of trouble at times but also lots of joy. He was supportive and they are very thankful. His wife Margaret wrote to her children “make sure you take care of Jack he has been much, much more than a step-father to you all. He is a generous, patient and caring man.” 

He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Elizabeth Kiesling, Blaese (nee Murray), his father     John Harrison Blaese Sr., his mother Margaret Ann Valentine Thompson, his step sister Betty Edna Blaese, stepbrother William Thomas Newberry, his daughter Brenda Lea Kiesling, grandson James Alex Kiesling, great granddaughter Camilla White and great grandson Robert (Bobby) Blaese Bostic Luczak.

He is survived by his stepchildren that he raised for over 50 years: Linda S Kopp (Robert Hillenbrand) of Warminster, Wendy J Wadkins (Thomas) of Hatboro, Thomas E Kiesling (Marianne) of Phoenixville, and Carol L White (Stephen) of Hatboro.

Also surviving are grandchildren: Michael Kiesling, Daniel Kopp (Maureen), Ian White (Melissa),     Steffan White (Danelly), Thomas Bostic (Erin), John Bostic (Julie), Lauren Brown (Jeffrey), Lori Bostic (Dustin Luczak), and Jesse White.

Greatgrandchildren: Emma Bostic, Savannah Light, MaKenzie Kauffeld, Wynter Luczak, Gwendylahn Luczak, Ethan White, Natalie White, Jayden White, Julian White, Jonah Brown and James Kiesling.

His nephews and nieces Robert Hotchkiss, Kathy Hallamore, William Newberry, Barbara Ann Newbery and Linda Newberry.

John was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend and will be sorely missed by everybody he inspired.

Family and friends are invited to  gather from 10am to 11am and attend his Memorial Service at 11am on Wednesday October 16, 2024 in Schneider Funeral Home, 431 N. York Road, Hatboro,PA. His interment will be private.

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