John C. Clegg

After a brief illness, JOHN C. CLEGG, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on May 4, 2019. Dearly beloved
husband of Eileen Dearie Clegg, the love of his life. For 59 years, they enjoyed the blessings of family, faith and friends.
Devoted father and grandpa to John and Cheryl Clegg (Madeline, Charlie), Jim and Kelley Clegg (Caitlin, Bridget, Connor, Maggie,
Shannon), Tim and Sharise Clegg (Jacqueline, William), Colleen and Tim Mahoney (Michael, Kathryn, Lauren, Mary Frances), Kevin
and Fran Clegg (Walker, Annabelle, Hadley), Eileen and Mike McKeon (Shane, Dylan, Aidan), and Cathy and Kevin Cusack (Sean,
Colin).
John was born December 27, 1936 in Queens, NY, the sixth of eight children. His faith and deep knowledge of English grammar were
instilled early by the Dominican nuns at Our Lady of Lourdes School, and continued for fifty years as a parishioner at St. Joan of Arc
Catholic Church.
His love for the game of basketball began at age 5, a few blocks from his home, on the courts of Braddock Park, and continued at
Jamaica High School, earning an academic and athletic scholarship to Manhattan College, Class of 1958.
Always an advocate of a liberal arts education, John earned a degree in mathematics and launched his career with Sperry Gyroscope,
working on the first mainframe computer (UNIVAC). He and Eileen moved to Chagrin Falls in 1969, working for ATO/Systems
Management Group (Figgie) as information systems manager. In 1984, he joined Standard Products Company, retiring as CIO in
1994. He moved on to his second career as Ombudsman and Gadfly at Clegg Industries, where the employees knew him as ‘Papa
Clegg’.
He was passionate about teaching and mentoring, starting with his own children and grandchildren, with endless traditions like report
card reviews, dribbling drills on the driveway, and as the boat captain on Chautauqua Lake. He enjoyed his years as basketball
commissioner for Chagrin Athletic Association, where he coached, refereed and dazzled kids with his half-court shots. He was a
board member at the Chagrin Valley Rec Center, and Boosters Club, a lector at St. Joan of Arc, and a fixture at all Chagrin Falls High
School sporting events for over 50 years.
He loved the life he lived.
In honor of John, please always use the possessive case before a gerund, and know that “the square root of negative one is {little i}”.
Friends and family may call Thursday, May 9th from 3:00-8:00 PM at Steinbauer Funeral Home, 33375 Bainbridge Road, Solon,
OH.
Join us for a celebration of life and Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 10th at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 496
E. Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, OH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Chagrin Valley Rec. Center, PO Box 84, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 or
at ChagrinRec.com