John G. Trunkwalter, Sr.

John George Trunkwalter, Sr. age 91, passed away peacefully on  December 10th, 2019, after a heartbreaking battle with Dementia. John was born on October 24, 1928 in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, the son of the late Rudolph Adolf Trunkwalter and Mary Wild. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Marie. He is survived by his three sons, John, Joseph (Tammie nee Dixon) and James (Debi nee Camburn), and the other loves of his life, his grandchildren Joseph Jr. (Nicole nee Otterbein) and Lisa (Al Crawford) and great-grandchildren, Joseph III, Charlotte, Ryan and Addison. John is also survived by two of his siblings, Lori and Marie. He is preceded in death by four of his siblings, Richard, Josephine, Katherine, and Florence. John, a.k.a. “Reds” left high school in 9th grade in 1944 to help support his family. He started his lifelong career as a tractor trailer driver at age 17 in 1945 after joining the Teamsters Union. He worked for Werner Continental, which became Halls Trucking and also worked for Kulzer Roofing before enlisting in the U.S. Army. John honorably served during the Korean War with the Heavy Mortar Co. 30th Infantry Division during his active duty assignment July 1951-January 1953 and subsequently served in the Army Reserves for 5 years before returning to his position as a truck driver. He met the love of his life, Marie Gallagher in their late teens while out with friends and were smitten. John and Marie married on November 27, 1954 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church and they were inseparable until her passing in 2018. GPop/Dad was happiest with family and enjoyed trips to the Atlantic City Casinos and many Summers in Wildwood with Marie, their sons John and Joseph, daughter-in-law Tammie and his grandchildren Joseph and Lisa. He and Marie shared a special bond with their grandchildren Joe & Lisa and later their great-grandchildren. John truly cherished their time together throughout his life and eagerly looked forward to their visits. John’s sense of humor was unique and endearing with a smile that always warmed your heart. His “Trunk-isms”, (words he created to replace common words his sons used) provided many funny stories throughout the years and never ceased to put a loving smile on the faces of those closest to him, old and new. John and his wife Marie retired and later moved to Pottstown, Pa. They resided with their son and daughter-in-law James & Debi for 15 years where he enjoyed birdwatching with Marie, frequently discussed current events, “serenading” Jim and Debi while Marie playfully rolled her eyes at him, and playing with their dog Oreo. John was loved by so many people and will be dearly missed. Family and friends are invited to John’s viewing and funeral on Tuesday December 17th from 10:30am – 12:00 noon at McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc., 6711 Frankford Ave, Phila. PA. 19135. There will be a Prayer Service at 12:00 noon in the Funeral Home.  Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd., in Newtown, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John to the National Alzheimer’s Association.