Our wonderful and loving husband and father, John McLatchy, 55, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
John was born Oct. 5, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pa., to John “Jack” McLatchy Sr. and Mary Virginia “Buff” McLatchy. He grew up in Littlestown, Pa., and graduated from Littlestown High School and Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa.
He started the Front Street Brewery in 1995 when breweries were not “in” yet in North Carolina and was currently the owner of The Bridge Tender and Fish House Grill.
John was literally and truly one of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever meet. At 6’5″ he was a true “gentle giant.” As one friend stated, “John’s size could have been intimidating, but he used it to exude great warmth and kindness.” Not many people knew a lot about John, but he knew a ton about them; he was a listener.
Owning restaurants was his true calling. John knew most of his patrons, not only by name, but also knew their children’s names, what school(s) they attended and what sport(s) they played. His family was his life! A great day in John’s world was working, attending whatever sporting event his children were participating in and eating dinner at 9 p.m. or later with Catherine, just so they could “catch up.”
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Catherine; four children he fiercely adored, Zachary, Lucas, Ava and Liza; parents; brother, Tim McLatchy, and his wife, Johanna, of Annandale, Va.; sister, Sherry Lee Harris, and her husband, Joseph, of Chambersburg, Pa., and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Kevin.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Port City Community Church, 250 Vision Drive, Wilmington. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
Please honor John’s memory by drinking a good craft beer and taking an extra minute to “really listen” just a bit more. John will be painfully missed by his family; however, they are comforted in knowing he is finally “pain free” and in a much better place. Rest in true peace, John and Dad, we will love you always!
The family would like to send special thanks to the angels at Lower Cape Fear Hospice, our special friends and family (you know who you are) and our “second” family at the restaurants.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401; or Port City Community Church in honor of John McLatchy.
Online condolences may be left at andrewsmortuary.com.
