John G. Koesel

John G. Koesel, 80, died on Sunday, January 24, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA from cancer. John was born in Pittsburgh in 1940, the son of Grace New Koesel and John Koesel, Sr. He married his beloved wife, Jean Ray Koesel and together they raised their two daughters. Later, after Jean’s premature passing, John reunited with and married his high school sweetheart, Wendy (Weed) Koesel, and spent the next fourteen years together, living on Cape Cod in West Barnstable, MA. After Wendy’s passing in 2017, John moved back to Pittsburgh to be closer to family and friends, spending his last few years with dear companion, Bonnie McCoy.

John graduated from Muskingum University, later to get Master’s and Doctorate of Education degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He spent his career in public education, from his early days as a teacher, to later discovering a calling for counseling, the last decades of his career serving as the Director of Counseling and Guidance at Upper Saint Clair High School. He truly loved his work and he inspired others to the same.

John was intellectually curious and an avid reader, especially of mystery novels. He enjoyed movies, New York Times crossword puzzles, games, and music. He loved to cook and entertain which he did frequently with his wife Jean, and later Wendy. He always traveled, never missing a summer vacation, be it a cabin in Canada, a house shared with friends on a Carolina beach, or a European River Cruise.

John showed up for his life, in all senses. He loved and was deeply committed to his family and friends, many of whom he had known for most of his adult life. He gracefully and steadfastly cared for both Jean and Wendy during prolonged illnesses at the end of their lives. He was a good man. He will be deeply missed by his family, daughters, Suzanne Koesel (Sandy Pate) and Kate Moreland (Mike Moreland), siblings Carolyn Schuler (Tom Schuler) and Deborah Fell (Barry Fell), brothers-in-law, Richard Ray and David Ray, and grandchildren Eli Koesel, Anna Koesel, Sophie Moreland, and Fritz Moreland.

Due to the pandemic, there will not be a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to mental health organization, Centerstone (Centerstone.org/give) or the American Cancer Society (donate3.cancer.org).