John J. Gavern
OBITUARY
John J. Gavern, 79, of Scranton, passed away Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 at the Geisinger CMC after a long, courageous battle with COPD. His wife of 57 years is the former Judy McGurrin.
Born in Scranton he was the son of the late John J. and Marion Norton Gavern. A graduate of Central High School in Doylestown, he proudly served in the United States Army in Vietnam with the Big Red One during the Tet Offensive. Prior to retirement he was employed as a truck driver and was a member of Teamsters Local #229.
John loved to spend time in his garage with his friends and watching the hummingbirds at his feeders.
John’s family would like to thank Dr. Michael Alocci, Dr. Nate Marchetti and his Temple team, Dr. Navin Kumar. John was blessed with an amazing medical team. His ER nurses Farrah & Katie and 8th floor nurses Kim & Brikele at Geisinger CMC as well as Molly and her staff at Traditional Home Health.
Also surviving are daughter Stacey Locker and husband Joey, Dunmore, son John Gavern and wife Jamie Lynn, Ohio; grandchildren Kelsey Gavern and Kaden Locker, Morgan Sullivan and husband Caleb and Alex Gavern, Rylee Strunk and Baylee Strunk; great-granddaughter Juliet Sullivan and soon to arrive twins Abigail and Vivian; brother-in-law Marty McGurrin and wife Mary Jane; sister-in-law Barbara Gleich and Eddie; several nieces and nephews; additionally beloved grand-pets Harper, Rocko, and Cricket.
He was preceded in death by sister-in-law Patsy Brooks and husband Scot; brother-in-law Tim McGurrin and wife Kim.
Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 232 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, with Military Honors to follow. All attending are asked to proceed directly to church. Family and friends may pay their respects Sunday from 2 4 pm in the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave. Everyone is asked to dress like a celebration in casual and colorful clothing. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate or the American Lung Association, www.lung.org
Please visit the funeral home website to leave an online condolence.
Carry on my wayward son
John J. Gavern
August 11, 2026