John R. Kanish

John Kanish, 96, of Ford City, departed this life on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, Kittanning, Pennsylvania. 

Born September 8, 1929, in Furnace Run, John was the son of the late George and Anna (Larko) Kanish. He left public school in the eighth grade to financially assist his family by working at the American Bantam Car Company in Butler during WW2. Later in life, he found employment at Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Ford City. He retired from the Ford City Post Office in 1990. He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kittanning until the pandemic. 

John was married to the former Ruth (Bryan) Kanish in January of 1953 until her death on August 20, 1977. Throughout the years, John could be seen in the Ford City and Kittanning areas on a several mile jog or a leisurely walk by himself or with his grandchildren. Pap served as a “taxi driver” for his grandsons to and from school and to sports activities. He was their biggest fan at the field, rink, court, or the bowling alley. John was an avid bowler, who could be found in various lanes in Ford City and Kittanning. He enjoyed countless hours sitting on his porch at his Third Avenue home and following the Pittsburgh sports teams. John was a die-hard Pittsburgh Pirates fan who rarely missed a game on the radio or television ever waiting for another World Series run. 

John is survived by his children, Cheryl (Tony) Hutton of Ford City and Timothy (Glenna) Kanish of Kittanning; his grandsons, Zachery (Kylie) and Luke Kanish of Kittanning and Lance (Katie) Hutton of Natrona Heights. His two special blessings and greatest joys are his great grandchildren, Knox Weston and Lennon May Kanish. John is also survived by his brother, Robert (Dorothy) of Ford City, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents and wife, John is preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Mylarnski, Kathy Grafton, and Anna Kanish; six brothers, Paul, Mike, Louis, Steve, George, and Joseph; and his in-laws, William and Eva Bryan. 

Friends and family are welcome at Welch Funeral Service, LLC, 1032 Fourth Avenue, Ford City, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Additional visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m., with the Reverend Brandon Cooper officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 112 North Water Street, Kittanning, Pennsylvania, 16201. 

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