John H. Braun Jr.

John Henry (Jack) Braun, Jr., 77, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023, in Redington Shores, FL. Jack

battled pancreatic cancer for almost 5 years, showing great strength and determination.

The son of John H. (Jack) Braun, Sr. and Lucille (Lattanzio) Braun, Jack was born on October 22,

1945 in Springdale, PA. He grew up in Brackenridge, PA and graduated from Harbrack in 1963.

Jack played basketball and football and was president of the student council.

He was a lifetime follower of the Catholic faith and a member of Guardian Angels Parish,

Most Blessed Sacrament Campus, Natrona Heights,

where he served as an usher for many years.

Jack attended college at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he played basketball

until he was injured in his sophomore year. He met his wife, Linda (Bowser), in the spring of his

senior year at IUP. Jack graduated in May 1967 with a B.S. degree in Economics. He later earned

his MBA from Duquesne University in 1972.

In 1967, Jack joined the US Army Reserves. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, he served

as a Combat Engineer at the New Kensington Reserve Center.

In June of 1969, Jack and Linda were married. They had three sons: Jason Patrick, Michael John

and David Timothy. All three were born and raised in Natrona Heights, PA.

Jack’s first job after graduation was as an Industrial Engineer at Brackenridge Works of

Allegheny Ludlum Steel. After several years, he transferred to the Pittsburgh office, working in

the Purchasing Department, buying mill supplies and later the raw materials for steelmaking.

Rising to Director of Purchasing, Jack’s work provided him and his family a wonderful life. After

retiring from Allegheny Ludlum in 2002, he worked as General Manager at Ram Terminals in

New Kensington. He retired completely in 2008.

He and Linda snowbirded in Bonita Springs for 10 years, where they met several wonderful

friends. They moved to Florida full-time in 2019 for cancer treatment and to be near family.

Jack continued to live a full life throughout his battle with cancer.

Jack kept fit by playing tennis every week with friends for many years. He also did aerobics at

the Allegheny Valley YMCA and later played golf and pickle ball. He was a Little League coach in

Natrona Heights, coaching his sons from ages 8-12 in the minor and major leagues. He also

served as president of the AVY swim team parents for the duration of his sons’ swimming

careers, officiating and arranging for meets and fund raisers.

He loved to watch his boys play all their sports, but especially basketball because it was his

favorite. Jack enjoyed dinner parties and trips with good friends from Natrona Heights and

Bonita Springs. His most cherished times were spent with his family, including family vacations

with the kids growing up and later visits and vacations with his sons’ families, especially the

grandkids, and his sister Jan.

Jack was so proud of his three sons, their families and all their accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Sr., his mother, Lucy, and his youngest sister, Kim

(Drury). He is survived by his wife, Linda, his children, Jason (Erin Caffrey), Mike (Misty Beers)

and Dave (Caitlin McKee), his sister, Janice (Demharter) and his six grandchildren, Finley, Elijah,

Emerson, Aviella, Violet and John (Jack).

 Friends will be received on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle Street, Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where a blessing service will be held at 2:00 p.m.  Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jack may be

made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan

Beach, CA. 90266 or to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, 5985 Silver Falls Run, #210, Lakewood Ranch, FL. 34211.