John J. Elias

John J. Elias, 78, of Laflin, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late John and Lillian Joseph Elias. John was a 1956 graduate of GAR Memorial High School, attended Wilkes-Barre Business School, and was a member of the United States Air Force Reserves, 92nd Air Terminal Squadron, Wyoming, Pennsylvania.

John had a thirty-year career with Wyoming Valley Distributing Company where he started as a buyer and rose through the ranks to become CEO. He retired in 2000 as a sales and leasing consultant for the Cadillac division of Ertley Motorworld.

John was married to the love of his life, Dolores Borek Elias for fifty-four wonderful years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. John always loved a good poker game with his card club, watching college football, and looked forward to his regularly scheduled breakfasts with his buddies.

John was a long-time member of the Parish of Saint Therese in Wilkes-Barre and a current member of the Parish of Saint Maria Goretti in Laflin.

His sisters, Madeline Ellis and Mary Jane Ellis preceded him in death.

John will be greatly missed by his wife, Dolores Elias; daughters, Donna Christian and her husband, William, of Wilkes-Barre and Terry Elias, of Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, William and Alyssa; mother-in-law Elizabeth Borek; nephews Anthony and Peter Ellis as well as several cousins.

Celebration of John’s Life will begin Friday with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre and continue there on Saturday with gathering at 9:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM in the Church of Saint Maria Goretti. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared with John’s family at www.celebratehislife.com