John Loughrin

John Loughrin, 74, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his immediate family on March 23, 2026. Born in Philadelphia on March 10, 1952, he was the beloved son of John Loughrin and Marie Fratto.

John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who lived his life unselfishly, with humor and unwavering dedication to his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Kathleen “Kathy” (Rickus); his children, Tina (Peter McDermott), Kevin, and Michelle Marfino (Paul). He was also a beloved brother, uncle, and friend to many. His greatest joy was spending precious time with his granddaughters, Madison, Lauryn, Ella, and Fiona.

John developed a strong work ethic early on and carried it throughout his life. He worked at Woodhaven Foods for several years as a Teamster before pursuing a career in computers. After completing his computer programming education, he was employed at Wheels of Wellness, Inc. as a database administrator, but in May 2006, he obtained a position at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he worked until his retirement in June 2016.

As a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan, John supported all the Philadelphia teams, but he especially loved cheering on the Phillies. His greatest love was time spent at the Jersey Shore, where he could relax on the beach with his family and, on his luckiest days, enjoy some fishing.

John was known for his willingness to help anyone in need. Whether it was home renovations, car troubles, or computer issues, he was always ready to lend a hand. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, often taking on side jobs such as siding, installing windows and doors, and building decks.

More than anything, though, John was dedicated to his children and grandchildren. He rarely missed a game or practice, always showing up with words of encouragement. He was deeply involved in his children’s athletic lives from an early age, coaching youth sports and continuing through high school club soccer. When St. Matthew School decided to have a varsity girls’ soccer team, he volunteered to coach seventh and eighth grade girls for 18 years, leading the teams to many playoff and championship games. Without a doubt, his dedication and perseverance left a lasting impact on countless young athletes.

He was truly one of a kind, an original soul with a sharp sense of humor and a laugh that had the power to brighten any room. His kindness, generosity, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on forever in the hearts of those he touched.

Services will be held at St. Matthew’s Church, 3000 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19149, on Monday, March 30, 2026. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate John’s life and attend his viewing on Monday from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM.  Further arrangements will be held privately  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor John’s memory by supporting youth sports or simply lending a helping hand to someone in need—just as he always did.

Arrangements entrusted to McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals and Cremations, John Barnes Supervisor, 215.620.9123.