John Charles Mackey

John Charles Mackey, 84, of Laureldale, died peacefully on the morning of April 20, 2026 at Laureldale Nursing & Rehabilitation, Muhlenberg Township.

He was the husband of Marilyn J. (Owen) Mackey, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Born January 7, 1942, in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late William and Helen (Jessick) Mackey.  He was raised in Cumbola, Pennsylvania, and although he lived most of his adult life with Marilyn and his family in Laureldale, he always retained a sense of connection to the Coal Region and its history. A member of Holy Guardian Angels R.C. Church, Hyde Park, he was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  

John was a 1959 graduate of Blythe Township High School, where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball.  After high school, he went on to complete an apprenticeship with Steamfitters Union 420, and he was employed as a steamfitter with the Local for his entire career, retiring in 1998.  He was known as a talented welder and a hard worker, and he was always proud to be a union member. After retirement, he worked on political campaigns with the Reading and Berks County United Labor Council.

He was handy with tools both on the job and at home. He loved taking care of his house, and he and his brother William built a beautiful and sturdy cabin in Sullivan County, PA. He and Marilyn and their family and friends enjoyed countless hours of fun and relaxation at the cabin over the years. Sitting on the porch of the cabin while watching birds and feeling the mountain breezes was one of John’s favorite pastimes.

One of John’s greatest qualities was his ability to experience true enjoyment from the things he loved. He had varied interests, all of which gave him great pleasure. He loved Notre Dame football, Phillies baseball, music, especially Irish music and Dixieland, gardening and yardwork, cherry vanilla ice cream, building bluebird houses, reading the newspaper, keeping up with politics, crossword puzzles, Marilyn’s delicious halupkis, picking huckleberries, chocolate, and autumn leaves. Visiting beautiful places gave him great joy, too. Trips to Ireland and the Canadian Rockies were among his favorites. In his younger years, he was also an avid and skillful hunter and trout fisherman. 

Nothing gave John more pleasure than his family. In addition to his wife, Marilyn, he leaves behind his two children: Daniel Mackey, husband of Kimberly (Miles) of Muhlenberg Township and John W. Mackey, husband of Shannon (Greaney) of Cambridge, MA; two grandchildren, Julia Mackey of London, UK and Desmond Mackey of Cambridge, MA; a brother, William Mackey, husband of Marie “Darlene” of Whitehall and a sister, Myrtle Fritz, widow of Charles of Northampton. He was an engaged and dutiful father to his sons, to whom he passed on many valuable life lessons. And he embraced the role of Poppop to his grandchildren with unbridled joy. His granddaughter Julia was a true light in his life, and he was thankful to be able to spend a great deal of time with her as she grew up. He only got to know his new grandson Desmond for a short time, but he was delighted to have a second grandchild to love, too. 

John touched the lives of many people in his 84 years, and he will be greatly missed. 

A service will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Laureldale, 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, PA 19605. A visitation will take place prior from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the same location. Inurnment will follow the service at the Chapel of St. George, Gethsemane Cemetery.

Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Laureldale is in charge of arrangements.  

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