John “Jack” Rugh

John “Jack” Rugh, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025, in Canonsburg, PA. Born to Sarah Stimmel Rugh and George Rugh on May, 1934 in Greensburg, Jack remained local to the Pittsburgh area all his life. He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Beatty Rugh, his son John Rugh Jr. and his wife Gale Rugh, his granddaughters Haley and Hanna Rugh, his best friend Tony DiPippa, his cousins Scott and Alec Rugh, and many extended family members with whom he shared countless fond memories at the family cottage in Slippery Rock. He was predeceased by his parents and his daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Rugh. After finishing at Greensburg High School in 1952, Jack went on to study economics at Washington and Jefferson College. His time in both Phi Delta Theta and ROTC were bright spots in his college career. Jack continued in the Army after graduating from Washington and Jefferson in 1956 and retired 11 years later as a Captain. He put his economics degree as well as his charm to excellent use at PNC Bank, where he specialized in trust investments during his 38-year tenure and retired as a Vice President in the trust department. He met the love of his life, Carolyn, shortly before graduating from college when their friends set them up on a last-minute blind date. Jack and Carolyn knew they had found their person and were engaged within the year. Over their nearly seventy years of marriage, they raised two wonderful children, hosted many large family holidays, played lots of tennis together on the local courts, and loved traveling to historic American towns, like Gettysburg, PA, Williamsburg, VA and Essex, CT. Jack was never one to miss a party and he had a lifelong talent for finding his way into any social gathering that looked like fun. His quick wit and hilarious one liner jokes often made him the center of any gathering. True to his love of celebrations, Jack enjoyed playing poker, often with a glass of Jack Daniels in hand, and golfing with his friends and family. Throughout his life he cheered on the Pittsburgh Steelers, his postgame moods riding the same waves as their remarkable history. Since going out to breakfast was one of Jack and Carolyn’s favorite dates, you could often find them together at the Kings Family Restaurant down the road and most mornings after a game he was back to himself by the end of their meal. He rarely met a cat he didn’t like, could put together a jigsaw puzzle with the best of them and was an avid reader of American history, with both the local French and Indian War and the Civil War his particular favorites. Jack’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff at the Greenery and Gentiva Hospice, who gave him wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bailey’s Cat Haven in South Park, PA in his name. Memorial service details will follow at a future date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into the care of Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, inc. Joseph p. Salandra LFD owner/supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg (724) 745-8120. To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.