John Deschu

John C. Deschu Jr., known to family and friends as Jack, 77, of Center Valley, was called home to the Lord, surrounded by his loving family at his home, on January 11, 2021. Jack was the beloved husband of Cathleen Joy (Persinko) Deschu. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, he was the son of the late of Carol V. (Eichler) and John C. Deschu, Sr. Jack grew up in Bound Brook, NJ, and attended and graduated from Bound Brook High School, Class of 1961, where he met his future wife, Cathy in English class. Jack proposed to Cathy when they were both only 16 years old – and she said yes! Jack went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1966. After college, he worked as a Civil Engineer at the PA Department of Transportation. Jack took this job right out of college, thinking it would be temporary, but spent his entire career working for PennDOT for over 33 years, retiring as a District 5-0 Maintenance Manager in 1997. He also owned and operated a Land Surveying Company called The Surveyor Shop in Center Valley for over 45 years. Upon retiring from PennDOT, he was a substitute school bus driver for the Southern Lehigh School District. Jack was also a member of Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Limeport. Jack was a lifetime member of the Upper Saucon Fire Company Social Quarters. While raising his kids, Jack volunteered with Little League, Indian Guides and Cub Scouts. Jack also enjoyed woodworking, golfing, bowling, camping, taking road trips and Sunday drives on country roads, playing with his grandson Joshua, visiting the beach at LBI, rooting for Penn State Football and the NY Yankees, country music, and doing anything he could to make family and friends smile. Following his passion for woodworking, Jack built an addition onto his house in the early 80’s as well as building wooden furniture and gifts for family and friends in his large woodshop. He greatly enjoyed playing on and the camaraderie of both the PennDOT Golf League and Softball team for many years, making life-long friends he cherished. He will be remembered for his caring and giving nature, his humor and wit, his mathematical and engineering mind, his tinkering, and jack-of-all trades approach to any challenge. Above all else, he will be remembered for his absolute devotion to his family, friends, and especially his wife, Cathy, of 54 years. Surviving along with his wife Cathleen (Cathy) are his children: son Christopher S. Deschu, daughter Jennifer M. and her husband John G. Jewell, and son Daniel M. Deschu; his beloved grandson: Joshua G. Jewell; his sister: Carol Ann Leiz; many nieces and nephews; his very close friends: Donna and Frank Symons and their children Gregg, Chaz, and Eric; also, friend Joyce Keller Snead and Tom Fogle; as well as countless long-time friends he considered family. He was predeceased by his siblings: Yvonne Whitaker and Dennis Deschu. Services and a memorial gathering in celebration of his life will be planned by the family at a later date, when circumstances allow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children Hospital. The Deschu family greatly appreciates the professional and compassionate assistance from The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Hellertown, during this difficult time. To leave online condolences, please visit his “Book of Memories” at falkfuneralhomes.com