John Joseph Kokolus

John Joseph Kokolus, born March 20, 1948, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in Paoli, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of the late John and Mary (née Hawrylo) Kokolus.

John dedicated his career to teaching, scholarship, and academic leadership, pursuing a distinguished academic path. He earned his undergraduate degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, followed by both a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in American History from Temple University. Education was more than a profession for John; it was his lifelong calling.

He began his tenure in higher education teaching American and World History and serving as an administrator and adjunct professor at Rosemont College. He later joined Elizabethtown College, where he became a respected professor and eventually served as the inaugural Dean of the Edward R. Murphy Center for Continuing Education and Distance Learning. In addition to his primary roles, John shared his expertise as an adjunct professor at DeSales University and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was particularly passionate about expanding access to higher education for adult learners, taking immense pride in helping students achieve academic goals they once considered unattainable.

Beyond his contributions to academia, John was a dedicated entrepreneur. For 25 years, he owned and operated the Brewer’s Outlet in Easton, a role that reflected his strong work ethic and his ability to build meaningful connections within the community.

On August 29, 1970, John married his beloved wife, Cathleen (née Condron) Kokolus. Together, they shared over five decades of marriage and raised a family that remained the center of John’s world.

John is survived by his wife, Cathleen; his children, Condron J. Kokolus and his wife, Kathryn, of Oceanport, New Jersey; Maeve C. Kokolus of Lewes, Delaware; and Sarah M. Busch and her husband, Michael, of Berwyn, Pennsylvania. He was a devoted grandfather to Matthew, Caroline, Michaela, Quinn, Andrew, Margaret, William, and Charles, all of whom affectionately knew him as “Jaji.” He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Elizabeth Levine and her husband, Martin, of Winthrop, Massachusetts, and Frances Stone of Waco, Texas.

John possessed a lifelong passion for music and guitars, with a particular fondness for Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Buddy Holly. He was deeply proud of his Polish heritage and enjoyed sharing traditional customs and foods, such as pierogies and kielbasa, with his family. He found his greatest joy in family gatherings, intellectual conversation, and the pursuit of knowledge.

John will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an inspiring educator, and a respected businessman whose influence extended far beyond the classroom.

Arrangements

A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 110 Saint Elizabeth Drive, Chester Springs, PA  19425 at 11:00 AM with a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3470&np=true).