Wallin, John James, 87 years of age, of Sea Isle City, NJ, passed away on December 27, 2020. Jack fought old age and death as aggressively as he lived his life— with great passion and with unwavering determination. Jack grew up in West Philadelphia raised by Marie and Bill Wallin. The 10th of 13 children, he attended Our Mother of Sorrows elementary school, “played ball” daily, sang in the Boys Choir, and graduated in 1951 from his beloved Saint Thomas More High School, where he was a decorated STM Hall of Fame athlete.
Jack was a proud member of the 1951 Tommy More Catholic League Championship basketball team. The Philadelphia Inquirer awarded him the MVP in the 1951 City League Championship Game. One of Jack’s noteworthy claims to fame was holding Wilt Chamberlain to 8 points in a game, using up every one of his 5 fouls in that game. Jack received 17 full scholarships to college but attended St. Joseph’s University close to home. In 1953 he married Arlene Horner, and they dedicated their lives to raising a family of five children together.
Employed 31 years with the Philadelphia Electric Company, Jack also represented PECO in his work for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. In 1982 Jack earned an Executive MBA degree from Penn State University. In 1991 he retired from PECO as the Manager of Commercial Operations for the city of Philadelphia.
During the course of his lifetime, Jack was recognized by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for his faithful and distinguished years of service to the CYO. Jack coached CYO basketball for over thirty years (1955 – 1988), sharing his knowledge of the game and imparting the importance of community service. In his retirement years, Jack was the Director of Development at Bishop Shanahan, where he led the effort to build a brand new campus in Downingtown, PA.
Jack will always be remembered for his tenacity and his work ethic, instilling the belief in his children and grandchildren, that “the harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Jack is survived by his cherished wife of almost 68 years Arlene (Horner) Wallin. He was a devoted father to John (Maureen), Arlene McMahon (Patrick), Mark (Mary), Lisa Black (Craig), and Kristin Gallagher (Chad). Jack was so proud of his 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Marie (Bell) and William Wallin, his siblings; Kathleen Huller, Mary Ervin, Eleanor Smith, William, Francis, Raymond, Edward, Joseph, James, and Theresa Wallin. He is survived by his brothers Paul (Denise), and Richard (Carol), and many loving family members who are all part of “The 99 Wallins.”
Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass 11:00 AM Saturday, January 2nd at St. Peter’s Church, 2835 Manor Road, West Brandywine, PA 19320. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjM7oaQRMwt_awnkb7aSu9A/videos Due to Covid, the interment will be private and there will be no luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack's memory may be made to St. Thomas More Alumni Association (STMAA): Archdiocesan Fund, P.O. Box 294, Drexel Hill, PA 19026.