John Paul Garrah

John was predeceased by his parents, John Patrick Garrah and Celina (Gagne) Garrah, by his brother, Thomas Garrah, and by his loving wife, Rita (Gallondorm) Garrah. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Shirley Garrah; his nephews, Paul, Michael, and Mark Garrah; and his nieces, Maureen Parreco and Erin Mallari, along with their spouses and children/grandchildren.

John grew up in Luzerne, Trucksville, and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he developed a strong sense of community and service that remained with him throughout his life. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1952 to 1955, including service in Korea with the Army Security Agency.

Following his military service, John began a long and dedicated career with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry , starting in Honesdale. Through commitment and leadership, he advanced within the organization and ultimately retired from the state-level office in Harrisburg at the age of 51.

In retirement, John continued to serve his community through organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Wayne County Historical Society, Jaycees, Special Olympics, girls’ softball, and Project Children, giving generously of his time and energy.

John married Rita in 1973, and they shared 41 years together until her passing. They were involved in a wide variety of community support activities and certainly loved to travel. Later in life, he was fortunate to find a second great love, Carolyn Curry. They were together for ten years until her death six months ago.

John loved travel and history, but his lifelong passion was genealogy. For more than 50 years, he researched not only his own family tree but also the family histories of many others. He provided guidance to countless people around the world, helping them discover and preserve their ancestral stories. While his travels were extensive, his favorite destination was Ireland, which he visited more than 30 times.

John was deeply involved in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, eventually serving as Historian for the state of Pennsylvania. Over the years, he amassed a significant collection of AOH artifacts, which he generously donated to the organization at the national level, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

In accordance with his wishes, John will be cremated and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

John’s life was defined by service, scholarship, generosity, and an enduring commitment to history, family, and community. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched and the histories he helped preserve.