Obituary of John Sliwa

SLIWA--John Sliwa died peacefully at home during a nap in Falls Church, VA, on May 3, 2022. John was the beloved husband to Mary (Corcoran) for almost 60 years, cherished father to Cynthia and father-in-law to Adam (Johnston), and beloved Opa to Emma and Ian of Arlington, VA. He was born in Germany on June 23, 1940, and emigrated to the US in 1951 with his mother Maria Schommen Sliwa and stepfather Stanley Sliwa. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, worked summers at US Steel (including the morning of his wedding), and attended the University of Illinois, Roosevelt University, and Miami University (in Oxford, OH).  His professional career began as a history teacher in Chicago Public Schools, continued as an associate professor of constitutional law at Niagara University (NY), Stockton State College (NJ), and Mercyhurst College (PA), then moved to planning and organizational development for Niagara County, Mellon Bank, Marine Midland Bank, and as a consultant for Bayer and others, before he happily retired early. After many transitions, he resided for 35 years in Pittsburgh, PA, only moving to Falls Church, VA in late 2021 after he and Mary had done every possible daytrip from western PA. He filled his days talking with friends, volunteering in local politics, singing with the German and Swiss Mannerchor, traveling, and taking full advantage of the Osher Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He was larger than life, never met a stranger, and leaves behind a lifetime of friends who will dearly miss him. Fittingly, a Celebration of Life will be held in Pittsburgh on July 9, 12:00-3:00 pm, at the Ratskeller of the Teutonia Mannerchor. Those wishing to honor John can watch a Cubs game, tell an inappropriate joke, laugh loudly, have a deep conversation, vote Democrat, and toast him with a well-mixed Manhattan. Condolences may be left below or shared at sliwaston4@gmail.com.