John Joseph Rutledge Jr.

John Joseph Rutledge, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Englewood, FL on June 2, 2026. Born on April 7th, 1945 to John and Vivian Rutledge, John grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and was a 1963 graduate of Northeast High School. As a boy, John showed an early love and aptitude for sports. He played football with the Burholme Athletic Club for several years and also played guard for the Northeast High School Football Team. Upon graduation, John enlisted in the United States Navy, completed his basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago, and served as a Class A Boilerman on the U.S.S. Shangri-La from 1963-1966. John’s time in the U.S. Navy brought him all over the world and cultivated an appreciation and love for travel that never subsided.

Following in the footsteps of his father and older sister, Beverly, John began working at the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) in 1966. He started as a machinist, worked his way up to subforeman, and eventually served as a Supervisor in the Nuclear Maintenance Division. He worked at PECO for 29 years, retiring in 1995. From the many colorful PECO stories John shared over the years, his PECO friends were like family, and he took great pride in the work he did for the company. It was during his early PECO years that John also played linebacker for the Penndel Pros in a semi-professional football league. His coach was former Packers Hall of Famer, Herb Adderly. From Burholme Athletic Club to the Penndel Pros, John’s impressive athleticism shone on the football field.

John was married to the former Kathleen Collins from 1972-1979, with whom he shared his two beloved sons, John and Dan.

John moved to Washington Township, NJ in 1974 and laid down roots as the resident patriarch to a neighborhood full of boys on the once-and-always-famous Antares Court. For the 31 years that John lived on “The Court,” he held court at the top of the street, serving as a steady father figure to many and the dad with the coolest Corvette in the driveway. He proudly provided an idyllic childhood setting for his boys to grow up in, setting the bar high for what a “hands-on father” looked like.

John married the former Eileen Thompson in 1987, who brought his two treasured stepdaughters, Jennifer and Stephanie, into his life and helped to form their newly blended family of six. Eileen shared John’s love for adventure, and they took great delight in traveling all over the world, both on their own as a couple and with cherished friends. They particularly loved any time they spent near the ocean, especially their 10 years as summer residents of Wildwood Crest, NJ. John and Eileen lived in Washington Township until 2005, after which they moved to Mullica Hill, NJ, where they lived for 16 years. In 2021, they decided it was time to permanently live near the ocean, and they moved to Englewood, FL. Their 38 year marriage was a beautiful and loving partnership that served as an anchor for their four children and a model of loyalty, good humor, fun, compromise, trust, and deep friendship. Eileen was his tireless champion and by his side until the very end.

Sports were a central pillar in John’s life. His unwavering dedication to all Philadelphia sports teams, but most especially his beloved Philadelphia Eagles, could be defined as nothing less than a life-long passion and something close to a religion. He was a devoted superfan. His status as a 20 year Eagles season ticket holder - Section 706 at The Vet and Section 204 at The Linc - was a serious point of pride as was his life-size cardboard cutout of Randall Cunningham, his Eagles hardhat, the full Eagles indoctrination of his sons, and his formidable tattoo celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles as Super Bowl LII World Champs. Never did he think he would live to see the day, not to mention once, but twice!

It’s fair to say, though, that John’s most cherished championship title was that of “Pop Pop” to his five grandchildren. He adored time spent with them at the shore, on family vacations, and cheering them on from sidelines and audiences. In turn, they loved convertible rides with him, learning “new” words when watching an Eagles game with him, and reciting his hilarious one-liners that will forever be part of family lore. And no one, but no one, could do a better Donald Duck voice than their Pop Pop.

John lived a full and beautiful life, taking nothing for granted and always role-modeling the value of hard work. His presence is irreplaceable, but his legacy will endure through the stories we will continue to tell and in the moments we will feel him with us as we walk near the ocean, sit in the stands of a Phillies game, and hold our breath as the flash of an ‘89 Corvette speeds by. He will be remembered with the deepest love by his wife, Eileen, his sister, Beverly Rutledge, his sons, John (Sarah) and Dan (Jaclyn) Rutledge, his stepdaughters, Jenn (Rob) McMahon, and Stephanie (Cornelius) Rodgers, his grandchildren, Lucas, Colin, Gavin, Ava, and Harrison Rutledge, and his loyal goldendoodle pup, Bella.

Fly, John, Fly.

Our sincere gratitude must be extended to the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Tidwell Hospice of Sarasota, and John’s steadfast circle of friends in the Foxwood Retirement Community.

A veteran’s committal service will be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940 on Monday, June 29th at 1:00 p.m. Donations may be made in John’s name to The Katie Kirlin Fund and Tidwell Hospice of Sarasota.