John Reid Gavin, 87, of Oil City, passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2016.
Born January 16, 1928, in Oil City, he was the son of Congressman Leon H. and Susan Gilfillan Gavin. He was named after John Reid of Oil City who was President of the Reid Gas Engine Co. His maternal great great-grandfather was Robert Lamberton, a native of Northern Ireland and an early settlor of Franklin in 1830 and served as an Associate Judge of Venango County. Paternal great great-grandfather was John Gavin, a native of County Mayo, Ireland. His great-grandfather was Calvin W. Gilfillan, a member of the Bar who served as District Attorney of Venango County and as a member of the U.S. Congress from this District.
He was a graduate of Oil City High School, Class of 1945. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving with the Fleet Marine Force Pacific for the remainder of World War II. He then entered Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa graduating in 1950 with a BA Degree and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation, he enrolled at Dickinson School of Law and graduated in 1953 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. He was admitted to the Bar of Venango County in April, 1954 after serving the required 6 month clerkship with the firm of McAlevy and Welch of Oil City.
In 1954, he was appointed as Assistant Counsel with the PA Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg. In 1956, he was appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of PA in Pittsburgh and served in that position until 1959 when he was promoted to First Assistant by the Attorney General of the US. In this capacity, he tried a variety of criminal and civil cases in the US District Court and the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. His specialty in the criminal area was white collar crime, such as income tax evasion, embezzlement and received a personal commendation from Attorney General Robert Kennedy for his successful prosecution of a close associate of Teamster President James Hoffa.
In 1961, he entered private practice in Pittsburgh after being admitted to the Allegheny Bar and the Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the Firm Spotts, Gill, Gavin & Morrow handling Personal Injury and accident claims and an occasional Federal Criminal Defense case. In 1971, John returned to Oil City and began a solo practice with an office in the National Transit Building. His practice here and in many surrounding counties and District Courts involved a multitude of litigation matters for private clients both plaintiffs and defendants and among his corporate clients: State Farm, Erie Insurance, Aetna, Nationwide and others. He served a Hearing Examiner for the Public Utility Commission from 1972-1976.
Some of his cases established new principle of law in Pennsylvania. Here in Venango County, he tried the first case in PA pursuant to the then new PA Vehicle "Lemon Law" against Chrysler Corp and obtained for his client Treble Damages and Counsel Fees. His most difficult legal battle went on for 13 years in the case of Beary vs Owens Illinois from Clarion County including 2 Jury Trials, 2 Appeals to the Superior Court and 1 Appeal to the Supreme Court.
During his career, he was admitted to the US Supreme Court, US Third Circuit Court of Appeals, US District Court Western District and Middle District of PA, PA Supreme Court, PA Superior Court and PA Commonwealth Court. He served as Member of and Chairman of a Hearing Committee PA Supreme Court Disciplinary Board for 5 years and a Solicitor for Cranberry Township. Past President of the Venango County Bar Association, Member of Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County 1962-1972; Past member of Venango County Bar Association, Allegheny County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, American Bar Association and ATLA.
He retired in 1994 and went on "inactive status". From 2003 – 2013, they resided in Bemus Point, New York. In 2013, returned to Oil City to be closer to his family.
He served as President of the following organizations: Oil City Club, Adelphoi Club, One Hundred Club and Presbyterian Homes of Lake Erie Presbytery. He served on the following boards: Oil City School Board, Oil City Redevelopment Authority, Oil City Civil Service Commission and Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Trustee:
His personal interests were in Early American and Venango County history, Early American Antique furniture and firearms repair and restoration of those artifacts. With this connection, he served as a Director of the National Kentucky Rifle Association. He also enjoyed hunting and fly fishing with which he found great solace particularly fishing the Yellow Breeches in Carlisle PA and Oil Creek State Park.
John was married to Patricia Carothers, June 10, 1950, who preceded him in death December 31, 2015. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, John & Annie Gavin, David & Becky Gavin, Lee & Sandy Gavin and Emily & Dan Eisenman. He is also survived by John P. Struthers whom he loved and considered a son and Marcy Sopher, a longtime family friend, who was very dear to him.
In addition, he is survived by the following grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren, Sarah (Gavin) & Jake Burge and their children Ryan & Chase, Reid Gavin & Mindy Kovski and their children Logan, Myah & Jax, Glenn & Katie Gavin and their daughter Adalynn, Gavin Eisenman, Paige Eisenman and her daughter Ava Eisenman.
He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lois Carothers. Numerous nieces and nephews of the Gavin Family of West Virginia & Washington States as well as the Carothers Family. His wonderful caregivers, Brenda DeMarches, Jutta Strickland & Lisa Gilbert.
In addition, to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a beloved grand-daughter Hannah Gavin. His brother and sister-in-law, William & Mary Gavin, a sister Lettie Gavin Gudmested, a brother-in-law, Richard Carothers, a niece Della Carothers Henderson and a nephew Richard Carothers.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am Friday at Second Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Greg Gillispie, officiating.
Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Oil City Library, 2 Central Ave, Oil City, PA or the Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Oil City, PA.
Born January 16, 1928, in Oil City, he was the son of Congressman Leon H. and Susan Gilfillan Gavin. He was named after John Reid of Oil City who was President of the Reid Gas Engine Co. His maternal great great-grandfather was Robert Lamberton, a native of Northern Ireland and an early settlor of Franklin in 1830 and served as an Associate Judge of Venango County. Paternal great great-grandfather was John Gavin, a native of County Mayo, Ireland. His great-grandfather was Calvin W. Gilfillan, a member of the Bar who served as District Attorney of Venango County and as a member of the U.S. Congress from this District.
He was a graduate of Oil City High School, Class of 1945. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving with the Fleet Marine Force Pacific for the remainder of World War II. He then entered Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa graduating in 1950 with a BA Degree and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation, he enrolled at Dickinson School of Law and graduated in 1953 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. He was admitted to the Bar of Venango County in April, 1954 after serving the required 6 month clerkship with the firm of McAlevy and Welch of Oil City.
In 1954, he was appointed as Assistant Counsel with the PA Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg. In 1956, he was appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of PA in Pittsburgh and served in that position until 1959 when he was promoted to First Assistant by the Attorney General of the US. In this capacity, he tried a variety of criminal and civil cases in the US District Court and the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. His specialty in the criminal area was white collar crime, such as income tax evasion, embezzlement and received a personal commendation from Attorney General Robert Kennedy for his successful prosecution of a close associate of Teamster President James Hoffa.
In 1961, he entered private practice in Pittsburgh after being admitted to the Allegheny Bar and the Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the Firm Spotts, Gill, Gavin & Morrow handling Personal Injury and accident claims and an occasional Federal Criminal Defense case. In 1971, John returned to Oil City and began a solo practice with an office in the National Transit Building. His practice here and in many surrounding counties and District Courts involved a multitude of litigation matters for private clients both plaintiffs and defendants and among his corporate clients: State Farm, Erie Insurance, Aetna, Nationwide and others. He served a Hearing Examiner for the Public Utility Commission from 1972-1976.
Some of his cases established new principle of law in Pennsylvania. Here in Venango County, he tried the first case in PA pursuant to the then new PA Vehicle "Lemon Law" against Chrysler Corp and obtained for his client Treble Damages and Counsel Fees. His most difficult legal battle went on for 13 years in the case of Beary vs Owens Illinois from Clarion County including 2 Jury Trials, 2 Appeals to the Superior Court and 1 Appeal to the Supreme Court.
During his career, he was admitted to the US Supreme Court, US Third Circuit Court of Appeals, US District Court Western District and Middle District of PA, PA Supreme Court, PA Superior Court and PA Commonwealth Court. He served as Member of and Chairman of a Hearing Committee PA Supreme Court Disciplinary Board for 5 years and a Solicitor for Cranberry Township. Past President of the Venango County Bar Association, Member of Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County 1962-1972; Past member of Venango County Bar Association, Allegheny County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, American Bar Association and ATLA.
He retired in 1994 and went on "inactive status". From 2003 – 2013, they resided in Bemus Point, New York. In 2013, returned to Oil City to be closer to his family.
He served as President of the following organizations: Oil City Club, Adelphoi Club, One Hundred Club and Presbyterian Homes of Lake Erie Presbytery. He served on the following boards: Oil City School Board, Oil City Redevelopment Authority, Oil City Civil Service Commission and Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Trustee:
His personal interests were in Early American and Venango County history, Early American Antique furniture and firearms repair and restoration of those artifacts. With this connection, he served as a Director of the National Kentucky Rifle Association. He also enjoyed hunting and fly fishing with which he found great solace particularly fishing the Yellow Breeches in Carlisle PA and Oil Creek State Park.
John was married to Patricia Carothers, June 10, 1950, who preceded him in death December 31, 2015. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, John & Annie Gavin, David & Becky Gavin, Lee & Sandy Gavin and Emily & Dan Eisenman. He is also survived by John P. Struthers whom he loved and considered a son and Marcy Sopher, a longtime family friend, who was very dear to him.
In addition, he is survived by the following grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren, Sarah (Gavin) & Jake Burge and their children Ryan & Chase, Reid Gavin & Mindy Kovski and their children Logan, Myah & Jax, Glenn & Katie Gavin and their daughter Adalynn, Gavin Eisenman, Paige Eisenman and her daughter Ava Eisenman.
He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lois Carothers. Numerous nieces and nephews of the Gavin Family of West Virginia & Washington States as well as the Carothers Family. His wonderful caregivers, Brenda DeMarches, Jutta Strickland & Lisa Gilbert.
In addition, to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a beloved grand-daughter Hannah Gavin. His brother and sister-in-law, William & Mary Gavin, a sister Lettie Gavin Gudmested, a brother-in-law, Richard Carothers, a niece Della Carothers Henderson and a nephew Richard Carothers.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am Friday at Second Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Greg Gillispie, officiating.
Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Oil City Library, 2 Central Ave, Oil City, PA or the Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Oil City, PA.
John Reid Gavin, 87, of Oil City, passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2016.
Born January 16, 1928, in Oil City, he was the son of Congressman Leon H. and Susan Gilfillan Gavin. He was named after John Reid of Oil City who was President of the Reid Gas Engine Co. His maternal great great-grandfather was Robert Lamberton, a native of Northern Ireland and an early settlor of Franklin in 1830 and served as an Associate Judge of Venango County. Paternal great great-grandfather was John Gavin, a native of County Mayo, Ireland. His great-grandfather was Calvin W. Gilfillan, a member of the Bar who served as District Attorney of Venango County and as a member of the U.S. Congress from this District.
He was a graduate of Oil City High School, Class of 1945. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving with the Fleet Marine Force Pacific for the remainder of World War II. He then entered Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa graduating in 1950 with a BA Degree and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation, he enrolled at Dickinson School of Law and graduated in 1953 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. He was admitted to the Bar of Venango County in April, 1954 after serving the required 6 month clerkship with the firm of McAlevy and Welch of Oil City.
In 1954, he was appointed as Assistant Counsel with the PA Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg. In 1956, he was appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of PA in Pittsburgh and served in that position until 1959 when he was promoted to First Assistant by the Attorney General of the US. In this capacity, he tried a variety of criminal and civil cases in the US District Court and the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. His specialty in the criminal area was white collar crime, such as income tax evasion, embezzlement and received a personal commendation from Attorney General Robert Kennedy for his successful prosecution of a close associate of Teamster President James Hoffa.
In 1961, he entered private practice in Pittsburgh after being admitted to the Allegheny Bar and the Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the Firm Spotts, Gill, Gavin & Morrow handling Personal Injury and accident claims and an occasional Federal Criminal Defense case. In 1971, John returned to Oil City and began a solo practice with an office in the National Transit Building. His practice here and in many surrounding counties and District Courts involved a multitude of litigation matters for private clients both plaintiffs and defendants and among his corporate clients: State Farm, Erie Insurance, Aetna, Nationwide and others. He served a Hearing Examiner for the Public Utility Commission from 1972-1976.
Some of his cases established new principle of law in Pennsylvania. Here in Venango County, he tried the first case in PA pursuant to the then new PA Vehicle "Lemon Law" against Chrysler Corp and obtained for his client Treble Damages and Counsel Fees. His most difficult legal battle went on for 13 years in the case of Beary vs Owens Illinois from Clarion County including 2 Jury Trials, 2 Appeals to the Superior Court and 1 Appeal to the Supreme Court.
During his career, he was admitted to the US Supreme Court, US Third Circuit Court of Appeals, US District Court Western District and Middle District of PA, PA Supreme Court, PA Superior Court and PA Commonwealth Court. He served as Member of and Chairman of a Hearing Committee PA Supreme Court Disciplinary Board for 5 years and a Solicitor for Cranberry Township. Past President of the Venango County Bar Association, Member of Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County 1962-1972; Past member of Venango County Bar Association, Allegheny County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, American Bar Association and ATLA.
He retired in 1994 and went on "inactive status". From 2003 – 2013, they resided in Bemus Point, New York. In 2013, returned to Oil City to be closer to his family.
He served as President of the following organizations: Oil City Club, Adelphoi Club, One Hundred Club and Presbyterian Homes of Lake Erie Presbytery. He served on the following boards: Oil City School Board, Oil City Redevelopment Authority, Oil City Civil Service Commission and Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Trustee:
His personal interests were in Early American and Venango County history, Early American Antique furniture and firearms repair and restoration of those artifacts. With this connection, he served as a Director of the National Kentucky Rifle Association. He also enjoyed hunting and fly fishing with which he found great solace particularly fishing the Yellow Breeches in Carlisle PA and Oil Creek State Park.
John was married to Patricia Carothers, June 10, 1950, who preceded him in death December 31, 2015. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, John & Annie Gavin, David & Becky Gavin, Lee & Sandy Gavin and Emily & Dan Eisenman. He is also survived by John P. Struthers whom he loved and considered a son and Marcy Sopher, a longtime family friend, who was very dear to him.
In addition, he is survived by the following grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren, Sarah (Gavin) & Jake Burge and their children Ryan & Chase, Reid Gavin & Mindy Kovski and their children Logan, Myah & Jax, Glenn & Katie Gavin and their daughter Adalynn, Gavin Eisenman, Paige Eisenman and her daughter Ava Eisenman.
He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lois Carothers. Numerous nieces and nephews of the Gavin Family of West Virginia & Washington States as well as the Carothers Family. His wonderful caregivers, Brenda DeMarches, Jutta Strickland & Lisa Gilbert.
In addition, to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a beloved grand-daughter Hannah Gavin. His brother and sister-in-law, William & Mary Gavin, a sister Lettie Gavin Gudmested, a brother-in-law, Richard Carothers, a niece Della Carothers Henderson and a nephew Richard Carothers.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am Friday at Second Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Greg Gillispie, officiating.
Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Oil City Library, 2 Central Ave, Oil City, PA or the Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Oil City, PA.
Born January 16, 1928, in Oil City, he was the son of Congressman Leon H. and Susan Gilfillan Gavin. He was named after John Reid of Oil City who was President of the Reid Gas Engine Co. His maternal great great-grandfather was Robert Lamberton, a native of Northern Ireland and an early settlor of Franklin in 1830 and served as an Associate Judge of Venango County. Paternal great great-grandfather was John Gavin, a native of County Mayo, Ireland. His great-grandfather was Calvin W. Gilfillan, a member of the Bar who served as District Attorney of Venango County and as a member of the U.S. Congress from this District.
He was a graduate of Oil City High School, Class of 1945. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving with the Fleet Marine Force Pacific for the remainder of World War II. He then entered Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa graduating in 1950 with a BA Degree and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation, he enrolled at Dickinson School of Law and graduated in 1953 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. He was admitted to the Bar of Venango County in April, 1954 after serving the required 6 month clerkship with the firm of McAlevy and Welch of Oil City.
In 1954, he was appointed as Assistant Counsel with the PA Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg. In 1956, he was appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of PA in Pittsburgh and served in that position until 1959 when he was promoted to First Assistant by the Attorney General of the US. In this capacity, he tried a variety of criminal and civil cases in the US District Court and the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. His specialty in the criminal area was white collar crime, such as income tax evasion, embezzlement and received a personal commendation from Attorney General Robert Kennedy for his successful prosecution of a close associate of Teamster President James Hoffa.
In 1961, he entered private practice in Pittsburgh after being admitted to the Allegheny Bar and the Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the Firm Spotts, Gill, Gavin & Morrow handling Personal Injury and accident claims and an occasional Federal Criminal Defense case. In 1971, John returned to Oil City and began a solo practice with an office in the National Transit Building. His practice here and in many surrounding counties and District Courts involved a multitude of litigation matters for private clients both plaintiffs and defendants and among his corporate clients: State Farm, Erie Insurance, Aetna, Nationwide and others. He served a Hearing Examiner for the Public Utility Commission from 1972-1976.
Some of his cases established new principle of law in Pennsylvania. Here in Venango County, he tried the first case in PA pursuant to the then new PA Vehicle "Lemon Law" against Chrysler Corp and obtained for his client Treble Damages and Counsel Fees. His most difficult legal battle went on for 13 years in the case of Beary vs Owens Illinois from Clarion County including 2 Jury Trials, 2 Appeals to the Superior Court and 1 Appeal to the Supreme Court.
During his career, he was admitted to the US Supreme Court, US Third Circuit Court of Appeals, US District Court Western District and Middle District of PA, PA Supreme Court, PA Superior Court and PA Commonwealth Court. He served as Member of and Chairman of a Hearing Committee PA Supreme Court Disciplinary Board for 5 years and a Solicitor for Cranberry Township. Past President of the Venango County Bar Association, Member of Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County 1962-1972; Past member of Venango County Bar Association, Allegheny County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, American Bar Association and ATLA.
He retired in 1994 and went on "inactive status". From 2003 – 2013, they resided in Bemus Point, New York. In 2013, returned to Oil City to be closer to his family.
He served as President of the following organizations: Oil City Club, Adelphoi Club, One Hundred Club and Presbyterian Homes of Lake Erie Presbytery. He served on the following boards: Oil City School Board, Oil City Redevelopment Authority, Oil City Civil Service Commission and Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Trustee:
His personal interests were in Early American and Venango County history, Early American Antique furniture and firearms repair and restoration of those artifacts. With this connection, he served as a Director of the National Kentucky Rifle Association. He also enjoyed hunting and fly fishing with which he found great solace particularly fishing the Yellow Breeches in Carlisle PA and Oil Creek State Park.
John was married to Patricia Carothers, June 10, 1950, who preceded him in death December 31, 2015. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, John & Annie Gavin, David & Becky Gavin, Lee & Sandy Gavin and Emily & Dan Eisenman. He is also survived by John P. Struthers whom he loved and considered a son and Marcy Sopher, a longtime family friend, who was very dear to him.
In addition, he is survived by the following grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren, Sarah (Gavin) & Jake Burge and their children Ryan & Chase, Reid Gavin & Mindy Kovski and their children Logan, Myah & Jax, Glenn & Katie Gavin and their daughter Adalynn, Gavin Eisenman, Paige Eisenman and her daughter Ava Eisenman.
He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lois Carothers. Numerous nieces and nephews of the Gavin Family of West Virginia & Washington States as well as the Carothers Family. His wonderful caregivers, Brenda DeMarches, Jutta Strickland & Lisa Gilbert.
In addition, to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a beloved grand-daughter Hannah Gavin. His brother and sister-in-law, William & Mary Gavin, a sister Lettie Gavin Gudmested, a brother-in-law, Richard Carothers, a niece Della Carothers Henderson and a nephew Richard Carothers.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am Friday at Second Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Greg Gillispie, officiating.
Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Oil City Library, 2 Central Ave, Oil City, PA or the Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Oil City, PA.
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