John Edwin Lyncheski

He attended Scranton Central High School (‘63), playing football, basketball, and track and field. While attending, he also met – and eventually married - his high school sweetheart, Kathy Dee (Penhale) Lyncheski on August 26, 1967.

John earned a Bachelor's degree in economics from Cornell University (‘67), where he was a member and chapter president for the Sigma Nu fraternity. He went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh (‘71).

He served his country as an officer and a military judge in the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG), attaining the rank of lieutenant and was honorably discharged, having served from 1971 to 1974.

After the Navy, John returned to Pittsburgh, PA, and worked as an attorney at the law firm of Reed, Smith, Shaw, and McClay. Advancing his career quickly, he co-founded Cohen & Grigsby, as a labor attorney and partner of the firm. His hard work and dedication helped the firm become one of the region’s top-ranked law firms. He retired in 2020.

Throughout his entire life, and up until the very last, John passionately pursued many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and golf, where he notched five “Holes-in-One” over the years – an achievement that only golf’s elite can claim.

He was a consummate leader, both in title and in character. He served as an officer on multiple professional and social boards and commissions.

He would also go on to coach his sons, daughter, and grandchildren throughout their soccer careers. He founded a much-needed youth soccer league in western PA, and developed several community sports programs and teams, giving opportunities to hundreds of children.

John received countless awards and accolades throughout his journey, due to his intelligence, honesty, discipline, humor, and hard work. But the most powerful and enduring legacy he leaves with us is his generosity and loyalty to friends, colleagues and family. His colleagues revered him, and his players respected him. He lived fearlessly, giving 100% to everything he created, supported, or served.

A loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by Kathy, his wife of 57 years, his three children, John Harry (Naples, FL), Marc Edward (Orange County, CA), and Kristin Elizabeth (Naples, FL), and seven grandchildren.

A visitation for John will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Ave N, Naples, FL 34108. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Burial will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 with military honors.