John Wallace Love

John Wallace Love, son of Francis and Margaret Farrell Love, was born in Houtzdale, PA on November 7, 1928. John lived in a small house that his father and Uncle built. John’s father worked in a coal mine located four miles from his house; he walked to work each day as he never owned a car. John’s mother contracted pneumonia and died when he was six years old. After John finished first grade, he was sent along with his older sister and brother to live with his Aunt Hattie in Pittsburgh. When John turned eight, his dad moved to Pittsburgh and rented an apartment so the family could be together again. In Pittsburgh, all members of the Love family worked- John’s dad worked installing insulation, his sister worked for a local bakery, and his brother worked for Bard’s Dairy Store. At the age of 11, John became a paperboy until he was able to get a work permit at the age of 14 allowing him to also work in a Bard’s Dairy Store soda fountain. As a Soda Jerk John earned 30 cents an hour, and he got a three cent raise when he started keeping the books for Bard’s because the store manager could not read. John worked at Bard’s until 11:00 pm every night of the week except Friday.

In 1940, John started 7th grade at Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School. It was a large school with 3,000 students, but there were no social activities in school because of the war. In 11th grade John quit working at Bard’s in order to deliver mail for the Post Office since most mailmen by that time had been drafted. John graduated from High School in 1945. Between 1946 and 1948, John worked as a gas station attendant, YMCA swimming instructor, and a window shade and cornice installer for the Pittsburgh Acme Window Shade Co.

During the 1948 Christmas Holiday, John and three of his best friends joined the Navy. They reported to Boot Camp at Great Lakes, IL and were placed together in the same company. According to John they practically ran the company. John graduated from Boot Camp and selected diesel school followed by Submarine School in New London CT. After graduating, John received orders to USS Becuna, (SS-319). USS Becuna was a WWII era submarine that distinguished itself with five Pacific Ocean war patrols. During 1949 and 1950 USS Becuna served as the Atlantic Fleet training sub.

John and Marge were married January 25, 1950. During the next 18 months Marge moved back and forth between Pittsburgh and New London several times as USS Becuna shipped out for deployments up and down the Atlantic coast and the Caribbean Sea. The highlight for John was a trip to Europe operating with the French and British Navy and a port visit in Malta. During their return USS Becuna spent 19 days underwater while crossing the Atlantic.

John was honorably discharged from the Navy in March 1953 and he and Marge moved back to Pittsburgh. John got a job working as a Baltimore and Ohio Railroad police officer. One evening John was visiting with his Dentist, who was the Dean of the Dental school at Pitt, and his old swim coach from high school dropped by and asked him about college. John said he was married and had been out of school too long. They took him to Pitt and had him fill out the paperwork and he was accepted the next day, thus beginning his lifetime love of education. John earned his BA degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1958, his Masters in Education from The University of Florida in 1963, and his Ph.D in Education from Florida State University in 1971. John held numerous teaching and administrative positions throughout his career- starting with teaching English and Cooking in a small Pennsylvania Township. He was later appointed as Principal of Tarpon Springs, FL Junior High School, and wrapped up his career as Director of Budget and Finance in the Florida Department of Education. John retired in 1991 and partnered to form a private consulting firm tasked with conducting school facilities surveys for the 67 Florida school districts. John lost his wife Marge to cancer in 2003, after that he focused on building his business.

John met Gloria in April 2005. They married in 2006 and began many adventures including trips to Washington, Philadelphia, (to visit Becuna), New York, Nova Scotia, Seattle, Alaska, The Bahamas, Scotland, Panama and many other wonderful places. John joined Advent Lutheran Church in 2006. John’s affection for the Navy and the submarine service was highlighted with his election as Base Commander of U.S. Submarine Veterans Florida Base in 2010. He also enjoyed playing his set of bagpipes, a hobby he picked up in 1981. He became so good that in 1995 he was asked to perform for President Jimmy Carter when he visited Moultrie, GA. John also enjoyed operating his amateur radio set which allowed him to develop friendships worldwide. John finally retired for good in 2011 and continued traveling and enjoying plays, concerts and other events with Gloria.

John was preceded in death by his first wife Marge, his son Johnnie and his daughter Alison. He is survived by his wife Gloria, son Bob and daughter Janice, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Advent Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry A. Grunden officiating.