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John Raymond Palcsey

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | June 06, 2025

John Raymond Palcsey, age 73, of Dravosburg, PA, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025 after a brief but courageous battle with metastatic cancer. He was born on September 22, 1951 in McKeesport and lived his entire life in the community that he loved, Dravosburg. He graduated from Serra Catholic High School in 1969, and while he was there, joined the Third Order of Saint Francis. Following in his father’s steps, John joined Dravosburg Volunteer Fire Department Number One in 1967 and continued decades of service as a firefighter, lieutenant, captain, director, and financial secretary. He was a member of the Dravosburg Archives Committee and helped to organize the book All About “The Burg” documenting the history of Dravosburg released in 2003. He served as the borough emergency management coordinator for many years and later served for 12 years on borough council. He was also proud to have served as the president of the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association. His servant’s heart was passed onto his children and has inspired countless people to serve their community. While he had many jobs ranging from a safety inspector/firefighter at the Bettis Plant and a flower deliveryman for Grayson’s, he was most notably known as the Dravosburg Postmaster, a position he held proudly for 26 years. His postal career lasted nearly 50 years. John was also an active member of Mary, Mother of God Parish in McKeesport and served on pastoral council for a number of years as well. He loved eating chicken wings, drinking Rolling Rock, listening to country music, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, and going hunting with David and Michael.

He married Dolores “Jean” Jackson on October 6, 1972 and they had two children, James and Michael. His family was his priority in life, and he worked tirelessly to provide for them. His inspiring witness and incredible dedication was powerfully palpable. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends, colleagues, firefighters, and countless others whose lives he touched. The greatest gift he gave to all of us was his evident passion for other people rooted in his deep faith in Jesus Christ. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marjorie (Anater) Palcsey and his son, James John Palcsey. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jean, his son, Michael (Stacy) and his beloved grandchildren, John Patrick, Joseph, and Nicholas, all of Dravosburg. He is also survived by his brothers David (Celeste) Palcsey of McKeesport, Mark (Melanie) Palcsey of Coraopolis, sisters Madonna (Stephen) Ferris of Denton, Texas, Maura (Michael) Sudik and Marita (James) Tambasco of Youngsville, North Carolina and a number of nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to gather to honor John’s memory on Monday, June 9, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 10:00 at Mary, Mother of God Parish, Corpus Christi Church, 2515 Versailles Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132. A burial will follow at New Saint Joseph Cemetery in North Versailles, PA.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Dravosburg Volunteer Fire Department #1, 598 Ravine Street, Dravosburg, PA 15034.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Raymond Palcsey, please visit our flower store.

Originally published June 06, 2025.

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