KATSUR

JOHN A.

Once John entered your heart, he never left. John was (and is) a gentleman, a devout Catholic, generous, a prankster with a silly sense of humor, and devoted to the love of his life of 47 years, Arlene. His faith, family, and country were top priorities in his life. He far exceeded the expectations of his teachers growing up starting in the public school system then moving to St. Anthony's school for children with special needs. He worked at the post office for over 40 years, before retiring to enjoy life with Arlene. From the day he started to work, with the guidance of his Dad, he purchased a savings bond every paycheck and eventually established a nest egg to supplement his pension. He enjoyed traveling and especially going to various concerts with Arlene. Though country music was a focus, he had a wide range of musical tastes. (As seen in his extensive collection of CDs.) He enjoyed wearing cowboy attire. He may have owned more cowboy shirts than Roy Rogers. He enjoyed video games, Vegas style slot machines that he collected, police scanners, CB radios, and gardening. He believed in being prepared, which is why he had two cars, two snowblowers, two lawn mowers, and a variety of other such things. (Just in case one would break down.) He had a stash of necessities always on hand in case of emergencies. During the Covid pandemic, Sam's Club and Costco stores would have been envious of his stash of toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, and cleaning products neatly lined on the shelving units throughout his three car garage. (Which, if needed, he would have readily shared with others.) Before he downsized and moved back to his childhood neighborhood of Oakland, he lived in Wexford. He was known in restaurants from the bottom of McKnight Road all the way to Cranberry. It was hard to go anywhere with John where he did not run into someone he knew. He enjoyed crafting. He had an extensive collection of handstamps of every shape and size. Receiving personalized mail from him was a treat along with his one of a kind holiday cards which he would make and send out to those lucky enough to be on his list. He greatly enjoyed having parties. You could not leave a party he held saying you did not have enough to eat or did not have a good time. Though occasionally, he would need to be reminded to make sure that when he extended invitations, to provide details on the date and time. (There were a few times where he was disappointed when no one came - but then found he had not given specific details.) With people he loved the most, he could have heated disagreements and could hold a grudge, but he could also readily forgive. If the layers were peeled back on such times, it was found that he just deeply loved that person and at the moment he was unsure if that love was returned. In the early morning of January 8, 2026, when John crossed the river into eternal life, he was immediately missed. However, as stated initially, once John enters your heart, he never leaves.

John is survived by the woman of his dreams, Arlene Antonovich; his sister, Eileen (Stewart) Grosser; his brother, Richard (Patty); nephews and nieces: Bonnie, Beth, David, Cecil, Robert, Maria, Kathy and Diana; many great-nephews and nieces, "the cousins," many cousins; and his long time buddy, Jim Antonovich (Sandy). He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Ann (Blanda) Katsur; his grandparents, John Katsur, Mary (Dupnak) Katsur, Michael Blanda and Mary (Durik) Blanda; his sister, Gloria Brissette (Cecil); many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Friends will be received on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M., at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS INC., 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street, (freyvogelfuneralhome.com). Parastas at 7 P.M. Funeral on Friday, January 16, 2026, Panachida at 9 A.M., at the funeral home, followed by Funeral Divine Liturgy, at 10 A.M., at Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church.

If you would be so inclined, instead of flowers, John requested donations to Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church, 4815 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, to assist with the restoration of the outdoor mosaics. Maintaining his beautiful Church was important to him.