John P. Taffe, age 68, of Dushore, PA crossed over on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at his home. John was born in Sayre, PA, on May 1, 1956, a son of the late Shirley A. Setzer and Thomas Gerard Taffe. He attended Sullivan County High School, a member of the class of 1974. John married Heather Stark Taffe of Lovelton, PA, on August 15, 2009.
John was a hard worker who was always punctual. Over the years he worked in the deli at Charnitski’s Grocery Store in Dushore, Masonite Corp., and as a Chemical Operator at Osram Sylvania/Global Tungsten & Powders for almost 30 years.
John served as Subordinate Chief and Treasurer of the Eastern Delaware Nations, Inc./EDN, Inc. for thirty years. In this volunteer role, he was always eager to share Native American culture, provide support to individuals who were sick or grieving the loss of a loved one, and was a rock in the community who was generous with his time to help others. He was instrumental in putting on the Forksville Powwow since its inception in 1990 to the present. He also helped organize the first two EDN powwows, which were held in the local area in 1988 and 1989, respectively. John enjoyed singing and dancing at powwows as well as attending ceremonies.
John enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family. He was always accompanied by his faithful canine companion Buddy, and lately his new puppy Tiny. John enjoyed traveling after retirement, learning local histories, and making new friends wherever he went. John was also an AA sponsor who helped many individuals over the years.
From a young age, John was passionate about trapping, hunting, and fishing. He loved taking his youngest daughter, his wife, and his friends along on his adventures and teaching them about the outdoors. He was active in the Pennsylvania Trappers Association for many years. John partnered with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies on the Best Management Practices research project, which focused on scientifically evaluating and ensuring the welfare of captured furbearers.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Heather, are two daughters, Leigh & Dylan Adams, of Glendale, AZ, and Susan Taffe Reed & Ryan Reed, of Mehoopany; two sons, Joseph White Eagle Stark, of Ridgetown, ON, and Jeff Turney & Bronwyn Losey, Lansing, NY; seven grandchildren, James Acla, of Phoenix, AZ, Cassidy Acla, of Olympia, WA, Ryleigh & Wyatt Miller, of Phoenix, AZ, Joseph H. Stark, of Ridgetown, ON, Dilan Jacobs-Snake, of Thamesville, ON, Muriel Losey and Harriet Losey, of Lansing, NY; four great grandchildren, Allen Garote, Cairi Carter, Sage Wolf Miller, and Nora Miller; sister-in-laws, Debra Graves, of Fayetteville, NC, Kathy Remington, of Lovelton, Amy & Michael Ryan, of Laceyville, Alicia Bolyard, of Laceyville; brother-in-laws, Pete Lybolt, of Mehoopany, and Eric & Sarah Lybolt, of Tunkhannock; aunts and uncles, Richard Taffe & Mary Rohe, of Dushore, Mike Gregori, Dushore, Catherine “Dee Dee” Charnitski, of Mildred, Celine McGlynn, of Wilkes-Barre, and Woody Hudspeth, of Lewisville, NC; nieces and nephews, Kimberly & Justin Crawford, of Bulverde, Texas, Dylan (Finola) Taffe, of Spring Lake, NC, Corrine (Leo) Remington, of Lovelton, Pheobe Bolyard, of Tunkhannock, Lily, Delilah, and Eric Lybolt Jr., of Tunkhannock, Emily, Matthew, and Maddison Ryan, of Laceyville; great nephews and niece, Payton Crawford, Liam Crawford, Ellie Taffe, and Rayne Mock; as well as many cousins.
In addition to his parents and numerous aunts and uncles, John was preceded in death by a sister Diane M. Taffe on January 29, 1979; a brother, Joseph G. Taffe on August 12, 2004; a brother, Michael R. Taffe on April 19, 2014; a nephew, Elliot Taffe on July 12, 2016; and his beloved dog Buddy on August 9, 2024.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 11 a.m. at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter Street, Dushore with Chris and Matt Orcutt officiating. Burial will follow at Vaughn’s Cemetery, Mehoopany. Friends may call on Wednesday, October 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Everyone is welcome to attend a dinner at the Mehoopany Firehall afterward.
Memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to: EDN, Inc., c/o Corrine Remington, secretary, 627 SR 4010, Mehoopany, PA 18629.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.
