John E. Erskine, 81, of Emporium, PA passed away at his residence in Emporium, PA on Thursday, March 23, 2023 morning. He was born February 2, 1942 in St. Marys, PA a son of the late Bernard and Edith Ferguson Erskine.

John attended Westend Elementary School in Emporium, until sixth grade, before going to the Sewickley Academy in Sewickley, PA then to Avon Boarding School in Connecticut, then to the Staunton Military Academy in Virginia and finally to Quaker Valley High School in Ambridge, PA.

John worked at Mitchell Buick and Edgeworth Country Club in Sewickley before joining the Coast Guard in 1960. While he was in the Coast Guard he worked part time at Penley’s Deep Sea Fishing in Puerto Rico until 1964. He worked at Cameron Manufacturing, Sylvania, Motor Coil and PA Door Company. He then moved to Texas and worked at Trinity Forge. Upon moving back to Emporium he worked at Kalafut Contracting, M&M, Pipeline, Crosby Manufacturing, O’leary and Baker Contracting and Windfall Products in Saint Marys.

John then moved back to Texas, where he was self employed at Joe and John’s Beer & Barbecue in Grand Prairie, Texas. He also owned John’s Tropical Fish, Erskine Builders Supply, and Erskine Trucking. He retired in 1992. He was a member of the Emporium Moose Lodge, the Emporium Vets Club, and Christabel Club.

Surviving are two sons, John D. Erskine; Harry Erskine and a daughter, Shawnarae Callahan (Tom), all of Emporium; seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and a brother, Peter Erskine, Prescott, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home, 207 E. 4th St., Emporium, PA on Sunday (April 2, 2023) from 11:00-11:45 AM followed by the Memorial service at 12:00 PM with Rev. Paul S. Siebert, officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.

Burial will be in the St. Mark Catholic Cemetery, Emporium, PA

Online Condolences may be placed at www.BarnettFuneralHome.net

BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.