John F. Pinkerton

    “When someone you love becomes a memory those memories become treasures.”

    John F. Pinkerton, 68, known to many as “Pinky” became a treasured memory to his family and friends on Thursday, January 6, 2022, in UPMC Montefiore Pittsburgh, PA. Admitted to the hospital in early December 2021, he passed with his cherished family at his bedside. He was born on April 28,1953 in Beaver Falls, PA., the eldest child of Catherine (Brenzo) Pinkerton and the late George W. Pinkerton.

    In 1971, he graduated from Beaver Falls Sr. High School. John earned a Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA in 2002. He also had received an Associate Degree in Fire Science from CCBC.

    “Pinky” was a former Production Manager and Network Administrator for Armstrong World Industries, accumulating more than 39 ½ years of service before the plant’s closure in Beaver Falls. He then became a Computer Science instructor at the DCI Career Institute in Monaca, PA.

    John’s 35-year membership with the Big Beaver Volunteer Fire Dept. began in 1969 as one of the Dept.’s first Junior Fireman. He additionally served as Chaplin, Secretary, Assistant Fire Chief, and finally as the Fire Chief for 11 years.

    Coach P. started his 30 years of coaching Softball back in 1989 with the Beaver Valley Express organization. He continued to coach with the Pittsburgh Metro Express organization until 2008. From 1998 until 2019, he was the Assistant Coach for the Westminster College Women’s Softball Program. He loved the fulfillment he received from encouraging his “young ladies” to not only grow into confident and talented players, but to grow and mature into positive and respectful adults. Not one of his “young ladies” ever disappointed him!

    John will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 46 years, Autumn (Wagner) Pinkerton, Big Beaver; their children, Bethany and Matthew Mitcheltree, Robinson Twp., Eric and Amanda Pinkerton, Visalia, CA and Tyler Pinkerton, Big Beaver; his cherished grandchildren, Kaci Leigh and Evan Burns Mitcheltree; his beloved mother, Catherine I. Pinkerton, California, MD; two brothers, Thomas and Jeffrey (Cheryl) Pinkerton, all of Big Beaver; a sister, Nancy Bressler, California, MD; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Todd and Sue Ellen Wagner, Chippewa, PA; several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. John was also anxiously awaiting the arrival of another grandchild in June to Eric and Amanda Pinkerton.

    He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and LaDonna June Wagner.

    Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. (Fireman service at 7:00 P.M.) in the HILL AND KUNSELMAN FUNERAL HOME, www.hillandkunselman.com , 3801 Fourth Avenue, College Hill, Beaver Falls, PA where a service will be held Monday at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery.

    Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Big Beaver Volunteer Fire Dept. 621 Friendship Rd Darlington, Pa. 16115, or the Westminster College Women’s Softball Program c/o 319 S. Market Street New Wilmington, PA 16142

    *** John needed to have a Liver and Kidney Transplant. Unfortunately, complications in his health prevented the transplant from happening. Please consider living organ donations as a heroic measure to help those that need this treatment.

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