John R. Sayre of Boynton Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2023, at the age of 88.

John's greatest joy in life was the love of his Wife and family.  John will be best remembered as a hard-working, kind, and gentle man who found happiness in the simple things in life.

Born on September 8, 1934, to Giard and Mildred Sayre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. John, nicknamed Jack, grew up in downtown Pittsburgh with fond memories of playing baseball, riding down the hilly streets on his bike in the summer and on a sled in the winter, and playing the trumpet in the school band.  At age 12, he was selected from his Boy Scout troop by the American Legion to play 'Taps' at the funerals of soldiers returning home from World War II. At age 15, he was chosen as the trumpeter for the ribbon cutting ceremony for Point State Park, where the three rivers meet, in downtown Pittsburgh.

After graduating high school, Jack served in the United States Army during the Korean War in both the US and Europe. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he lived in Pittsburgh and worked for the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania and AT&T for thirty years, where he met a wide range of interesting folks, including hometown hero Fred Rogers of Mister Roger's Neighborhood and the love of his life, Barbara, who he wed on August 10, 1957. Together, Jack and Barb raised their two children, Jeff and Susan, in the SW Pennsylvanian countryside, at a home that he designed and built. You could always find Dad building and fixing things around the house, carrying his trusty pocketknife, taking care of the yard, planting in the garden, helping a neighbor, or hunting and taking long walks in the woods. The family enjoyed countless hours outside enjoying "the property" together.

After moving to Boynton Beach in 1986, he was a consultant at IBM and Network Control Analyst at Office Depot. On Jack and Barb's 35th wedding anniversary, they became grandparents, and Jack earned his newest nickname, PaPop.  PaPop loved spending time around the kitchen table with his grandkids, showing them classic movies, teaching them how to count using games like Yahtzee and Skip-Bo, and how to type and use the computer. He was also known as Mr. Fixit for always having the right tool or part on hand and having the right solution to any problem, in the home and in life. Although he may have simply called himself "just a telephone man," he was so much more to those who loved him.

Beloved husband of 63 years to the love of his life, Barbara L. Sayre. Loving father of son Jeffrey R. Sayre of Pompano Beach, FL and daughter Susan L. Robb and son-in-law Michael A. Robb Sr. of Parkland, FL.  Beloved grandfather of Katie Robb Hemingway (David), Megan Robb Segall (Steve), Emily Barbara Robb, and Michael A. Robb, Jr.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara and brother Rev. Giard M. Sayre of Washington, PA.

John is survived by his two children, son-in-law, four grandchildren, sister-in-law Alice Mae Sayre, and many very special nieces, nephews, extended family, dear friends, and wonderful neighbors.

A military funeral honoring the life of John will be held on Friday, August 4th at 10:30 am at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL. Please plan to arrive at 10:15 am, 15 minutes before the service begins. The family will host a gathering immediately following at the Sayre home in Boynton Beach, FL.

South Florida National Cemetery address:

6501 FL-7

Lake Worth, FL 33449

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Dunklin Memorial Camp and Church

3442 S.W. Hosanah Lane

Okeechobee, FL 34974