John "Jack" Albert Matthews

John “Jack” Albert Matthews passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.  He was born October 19, 1937, in Pittsburgh, PA, to parents Alvin Matthews and Mary Leeds Matthews.

John was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor Oliana Matthews, brothers Alvin Matthews and James “Jim” Matthews, and son Michael Scherer.  He is survived by children Marion Matthews, Catherine Scherer, John Martin (“Marty”) Matthews, Caroline Perkins, Maria Scherer, their respective spouses, grandchildren Gabriel Scherer, Jack Matthews, and Tara Matthews.

John was a well-rounded athlete, artist, and outdoorsman.  As a teenager, he was a lifeguard at the popular Burke Glen pool (Monroeville, PA), where he met his first wife Daneen Huttenstine Matthews.  In high school, John played football and excelled at the viola, playing with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and earning a scholarship to Stetson University.  It was at Stetson that John’s life-long artistic skills developed to include oil and watercolor painting, and drawing.

Later in life, John illustrated children’s books that his wife Eleanor wrote. He was also a wonderful cook, an interest and talent he learned from his grandmother as a boy.

John enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, beaches, and boating. His sense of humor spoke to his once having owned a boat at the Jersey shore named Captain Gufinof.  John and Eleanor devoted tireless hours to remodeling and landscaping their various properties.

John was also an avid reader; his favorite topic was history, primarily as it related to politics and government. He was a wonderful resource to his children when they had questions related to almost any subject, so rich in knowledge.

After college, John served in the Army as a medic.  He then had a long career at Duquesne Light Company / DQE as a Public Relations Executive where was able to blend his creative artistic side and his love of the written word during his marketing and communications career.

John was a great dad who devoted his time to playing ball and other games in the yard. He loved family vacations, get-aways, and raising and sharing his interests and talents with his kids.

Private services will be held.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the Matthews family.