John J. Scanlan, addiction counselor

Posted 3/12/13

John J. “Jack” Scanlan, 77, formerly of Germantown, an addiction counselor and a former diving champion, died March 2 of complications of pneumonia at Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia.

Mr. …

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John J. Scanlan, addiction counselor

Posted

John J. “Jack” Scanlan, 77, formerly of Germantown, an addiction counselor and a former diving champion, died March 2 of complications of pneumonia at Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia.

Mr. Scanlan had worked as a counselor for 25 years at several rehabilitation centers in the Philadelphia area, including the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, the Fairmount Behavioral Health Center and – most recently – Whitemarsh House.

His own history with addiction was the start of a lifelong crusade assisting others with their trials. Many of those he had counseled said Mr. Scanlan had changed their lives.

An athlete and sportsman, he won the Philadelphia diving championship in 1951 and 1952, and was an avid squash player.

Raised in Philadelphia, he attended Norwood Academy and St. Joseph's Preparatory School. He was a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross.

During the late 1950s he served as a cryptographer with the Army Signal Corps.

Mr. Scanlan is survived by daughters Sara Scanlan, Laurie Barkhorn and Amy Brueckner; sons Jack and Daniel; sisters Molly Kelly and Alice Bateman Doyle; a brother Edmund Scanlan; former wives Ann McNamara Scanlan and Linda Teir Scanlan, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers Michael, Joseph and David.

A celebration of his life will be held at 12 noon Friday, March, 15, at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 E. Chestnut Hill Ave. in Chestnut Hill. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Friday. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Wyncote.

Memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army, Adult Rehabilitation Center, 4555 Pechin St., Philadelphia, PA 19128. – WF

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