John I. Clarkin

John I. Clarkin, age 91, of Erie, PA and formerly of Conneaut Lake, PA passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at the Elmwood Gardens in Erie. He was born May 5, 1924 in Norwalk, CT the son of the late William Clarkin and Pearl Irving Clarkin. He married Anita Palamides on May 3, 1949. She survives. Joining the US Navy at age 17, he spent 4 years serving our country, aboard the USS Livermore (destroyer) with his brother and USS Piper (submarine) during WWII. His pride in those service years was the inspiration for him to write many articles for the USS Piper Association. He was also the subject of many interviews and gave presentations to several groups about his experiences. While attending a USS Piper reunion in Groton, Connecticut (the only attendee from WWII), he even became an impromptu tour guide at the Navy's Submarine Force Museum. He enjoyed writing, whether it was a letter to a company regarding a consumer issue or a poem in a greeting card. His political and current event editorials were also frequently published in the Meadville Tribune. As a retiree from not one but three jobs, his employment resume was quite diverse: Streetcar motorman, Whitehall Borough police lieutenant, and Allegheny County homicide lieutenant in Pittsburgh; then, an optician, PPG glassworker, Country Fair manager, Academy movie theater manager, and guard at the Crawford County jail. He enjoyed feeding the birds, and scoring birdies on the links at courses in Pittsburgh and Conneaut Lake. He and Anita, his wife of 66 years, spent many, many summers golfing, and were "mupfers" to Conneaut Lake before moving there in 1974. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anita Clarkin of Erie, PA, a daughter: Lisa Rawson and her husband Scott of Lake City, PA, two sons: John Clarkin and his wife Carol of Edgewood, KY, and William Clarkin and his wife Cathy of Hickory, PA and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother William Clarkin. Family and friends are welcome to call on Saturday from 9 AM until 11 AM at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Catholic Church, 155 South Ninth Street, Conneaut Lake, PA. All are welcome to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Saturday at Our Lady Queen of the America's Catholic Church, with Father Jeffrey Lucas as Celebrant. Burial, with Full Military Honors provided by VFW Post 2006, will follow in Our Lady Queen of the America's Church Cemetery. Given his dedication to preserving submarine history, the family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be sent in his honor to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15213 for the support and maintenance of the USS Requin. May he rest in peace on Eternal Patrol. Sailor, Rest Your Oar. Please sign John's online guestbook at hatheway-tedesco.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the Dickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Rocco R. Tedesco III, Supervisor, 130 N Second Street, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316