John Joseph Lamond

John Joseph Lamond Jr., 86, of Scranton, died Sept. 28, at Oak Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Largo, Fla., following an illness. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Margaret "Marge" Ingoldsby Lamond, in 2004.

He leaves behind his son, John Joseph III and wife, Cristina, Easton, Pa.; his son, Timothy Edward and wife, Carolyn, Largo, Fla.; grandson, Timothy Michael and wife, Mariah, Jessup; granddaughter, Kelly Ann and husband, Joe Barrett, Roaring Brook Twp.; two great-grandsons, Logan and Maddox; and two great-granddaughters, Ada and Evelyn, all of whom he absolutely adored and cherished. Also surviving are a brother-in-law, Edward Ingoldsby, Scranton; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

John was born in Green Ridge, son of the late John Joseph Sr. and Adelaide McHugh Lamond, and was a lifelong resident of Scranton, before moving to Florida with his son, Timothy, in 2017. Upon graduation from Scranton Central High School in 1950, John enlisted in the military. He retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of serving his country proudly. For most of his enlistment, he was a tail-gunner on his beloved B-52 Stratofortress. In the last several years of his service, John was a recruiter, helping many young men and women find careers in the military. During John's time in the service, he and his wife Marge lived in many exotic places, such as Minot, N.D.; El Paso, Texas; Bangor, Maine; Teaneck, N.J.; and Roswell, N.M.

After retirement from the USAF, John was not done helping individuals and veterans find work. He became the veterans employment representative for the State of Pennsylvania, located in Scranton. He retired from this position after 20 years, with a great celebration thrown for him by his co-workers. During this time, he helped hundreds of people get additional training and employment. John pursued a degree from Penn State University, Worthington Campus, taking evening courses, even though Notre Dame was his favorite college football team. He usually wore matching plaid pants and bright colored shirts to work. Anyone who knew John, knew that he could not sit still. He took part-time jobs at Cadden Bros. Beer Distributors, CK Auto, bartending at the American Legion in Minooka, and eventually went back to the Career Center for the State of Pennsylvania, working part time.

When he wasn't working, he loved traveling, especially to Hawaii, and was an avid golfer, surfer, beekeeper and enjoyed riding trikes. His quiet time was spent reading Renaissance poetry. He was known by many nicknames, Jack, Jackie, Yock, Topper and sometimes just John. But after his beloved grandchildren were born, he became Pops. All of our family and friends and his grandchildren's friends all knew and loved him as Pops. Pops was very dedicated to the organizations that he belonged to, including the Minooka American Legion 568, the Waldorf German Club, the Gunners' reunion committee, president of the Scranton Central High School class of 1950 reunion committee and the Minooka Lions Club. He was always there to participate in their events and to donate food and paper products that he would purchase at the Tobyhanna commissary.

John was a great man. He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone that came to him. He was admired, respected and deeply loved by all that knew him. He will be missed greatly and we want him to know that we will be toasting him with his bottle of Paddy's Irish whiskey that he was saving for this occasion, as per his request.

The funeral will be conducted Wednesday, Oct. 9, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at noon in Immaculate Conception Church, 800 Taylor Ave., Scranton. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 11 a.m. until the commencement of services. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.

Arrangements, Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 715 Linden St., Scranton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 800 Taylor Ave., Scranton, PA 18510.