John T. ‘Jack’ Barlick Jr.

He was born in Benscreek, son of the late John Sr. and Marian (Cassidy) Barlick.

Surviving are Jack’s six kids, Natalie Barlick-Reed, Altoona; John Barlick III, Hancock, Md; and Stephen Barlick, Catherine Barlick-Nadolsky, Cynthia Rabish and Jacquelyn Mento, all of Cresson; four son-in-laws, James Reed, Donald Nadolsky, Bryan Rabish and Robert Mento  Jr.; former wife and longtime friend, Helen (Gongloff-Ivory) Barlick; his very special grandchildren, Sam Brown, Tasja Kimball (Jeremy Kimball) Nathan Przybys, Desiree Bukowski (Randy McCloskey) Allison Barlick, Ross Nadolsky, Kiana Nadolsky, Connor Mento, Kiera Nadolsky, Kaylee Mento and twins Laura and Derek Reed and soon-to-be a great- grandfather to Riley Ann McCloskey. He is also survived by his siblings: Eileen Sweeney, Ronald Barlick (Jane), Maureen Kelly (Dave), Patrick Barlick and Monica Barlick; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Aria Rose Kimball.

Jack was a humble man who was extremely fond of his family and of the community of Lilly. In his last days, he told his family he had a good life and believed he has accomplished a few things; his family  believes that he accomplished more things than any one man in 73 years could.

Jack graduated in 1961 from Lilly-Washington High School, served in the U.S. Army in 1962-65, where he served in Vietnam as a tank crewman and air traffic controller, then in the U.S. Naval Reserve Seabees for many years. He received the Army and Navy Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Reserve Medal and Marksman M-1 and Sharpshooter, .45 caliber and 90 mm tank gun badges.

After serving in the military, he went on to become a paramedic for AMED, retiring after 23 years of service. During this time, and after, he served as president of Lilly Fire Company, president of Lilly Area Ambulance Association, president of Penn Cambria School Board, president of Central District Volunteer Fireman’s Association, AMED/AFSCME Union Steward, chairman and coordinator of Cambria-Somerset Emergency Medical Services Council, on the board of directors of Southern Alleghenies EMS Council, a DART paramedic for Conemaugh Hospital and police officer for Lilly Borough.

In his younger years, he also led the Boy Scouts of America in the Lilly Troop. Up until his death, he was mayor of Lilly Borough, chairman of Lilly-Washington Historical Society, board member for Lilly American Legion, member of Lilly-Washington War Memorial Association and member of Sankertown VFW. He also wrote the weekly “Lilly Lines” for the area newspaper “The Mainliner” for the past 13 years, and he played a large role as editor/writer of Lilly-Washington Historical Society’s books “The Military Spirit of a Community” and “The Spirit of a Community.” He was also known for writing many poems and articles.

Furthermore, he was a member of Our Lady of the Alleghenies and a dedicated choir member for the Christmas seasons. Along with these accomplishments and honors, there were countless other projects and organizations that Jack was always involved in, including but not limited to the monuments found throughout the town of Lilly. His family believes that he accomplished a little more than a few “things.”  He was called “Mr. Lilly,” and that name truly belonged to him.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, and 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Thomas F. Cloherty Funeral Home, Lilly, where a vigil will be held Sunday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Catholic Church, Lilly, Monsignor John R. Sasway celebrant. Committal will be at St. Brigids Cemetery, Lilly. Military gravesite rites will be provided by Lilly American Legion, Lilly VFW and Sankertown VFW. Arrangements are by Thomas F. Cloherty Funeral Home, Lilly.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lilly-Washington Historical Society or Lilly-Washington War Memorial Association.