John J. "Jack" McCloskey

Born: 10/31/1928 Died: 11/3/2011 Mr. John J. “Jack” McCloskey, Sr., age 83, of Newark, DE, died on Thursday, November 3, 2011. Mr. McCloskey was born in Philadelphia, PA, on October 31, 1928, son of the late John A. McCloskey and Anna C. McCloskey. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, serving in the Medical Corps after the end of World War II (he would later be recalled to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis). Upon discharge from military service, he attended laboratory school at St. Agnes Hospital in Philadelphia, where he met his future wife. After laboratory school, he worked at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia for a brief period before accepting a position at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. After leaving St. Francis, he was employed with the DuPont Company for 32 years at the Stine Laboratory and the Experimental Station. A devout Catholic throughout his life, Mr. McCloskey was a member of Holy Family R.C. Church, St. Michael Council #4548 Knights of Columbus, and the Men of Malvern. He was a dedicated member and past president of the Brookside Lions Club, where he was honored to have been named both a Melvin Jones Fellow and a Ralph Helm Fellow. A longtime advocate for youth sports, he was active with several baseball leagues in the Newark area. He was an avid bowler, as well, and greatly enjoyed league play with friends for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Lois C. Quinn McCloskey, and a sister, Anna C. Gluhoski. He is survived by his children, John J. McCloskey, Jr. of Clarksville, TN, James M. McCloskey (Karen) of Elkton, MD, William E. McCloskey, Sr. (Michele) of Newark, Paul R. McCloskey of Newark, and Karen M. Reeder (Timothy) of Wilmington; sisters, Marie A. Land of Memphis, TN, and Regina Hueber (Joseph) of Bensalem, PA; grandchildren, James S. McCloskey, Melissa J. Winters, Anna C. McCloskey, William E. McCloskey, Jr., Kayla M. Helie, Danielle L. Reeder, Jesse B. Reeder, and Eric A. Reeder; and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2011, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Monday, November 7, 2011, at Holy Family R.C. Church, E. Chestnut Hill and Gender Roads, Newark. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Institute for Cancer Research, 1759 R Street NW, PO Box 97167, Washington DC 20090; or to the American Heart Association, 200 Continental Drive, Ste. 101, Newark, DE 19713.