John E. Perrott

John Perrott, born April 28, 1952, died at home on August 12, 2026, with his family by his side, after a miserable illness. He is intensely missed.

Born in New York City, John moved back to Moon Township, PA as a child with his parents to live near extended family. He attended Howe Military School in Howe, Indiana where he played baseball, football, and wrote for the paper, graduating in 1970.

John went on to Ohio University and graduated with a degree in English, planning to be a teacher. He met Gwen, his future wife in 1979 when he returned to OU for the teaching certificate. It was an impulsive, dynamic and permanent love. They married within a year. From there, they moved back to Pittsburgh briefly, and now having a young family, John decided to go to law school. He chose Vermont Law School, a new school at the time with many non-traditional students of which he was one, being 30 when he began. After graduating in 1985, he passed the BAR in Pennsylvania. He took the first job offered to him on the theory it would be two years in Morgantown and move on. They overstayed by 38 more years. Both sides of the family were instrumental in helping them begin a life in Morgantown.

John practiced law in PA for 4O years, including a short time as a public defender, but the career that fit him best was as an attorney for Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid Society in Uniontown, PA. John was a believer and practitioner of fairness, justice, and kindness. He was a fierce and dedicated advocate for those with the least leverage. He could be counted on to speak his mind. He grew into Uniontown and Legal Aid, walking miles at lunch with coworker John, in his ‘Indiana Jones’ hat (a gift from his father-in-law), ponytail streaming behind him. His co-workers made a second home for him, and he delighted in his friendships there. He believed that he and they were honestly engaged in ‘the good fight’.

John and Gwen shared 47 years together. They had spirited debates and were obliviously unconventional. Had they the option, they would have spent many more years together. His wife will miss her favorite combatant and travel companion and the voice that went straight to her heart.

John has three children; Bryn Perrott (Will Foreman), Sage Perrott (Adam Leestma), and Max Perrott (Amber Huffman). He was very proud of his kid’s art lives and followed all closely. No lawyers in that bunch.

Time spent around family was a priority. In 1990, his father-in-law ‘forced’ him to take the first family beach vacation. John was concerned that time off would mean he would fall behind with work, but once he was there, he became a convert. The Emerald Isle, NC trip became an annual pilgrimage with the family and was his favorite time of year, filled with the stars at night, the sound of the ocean, swimming in the waves, and a few beers, with those he loved best. His family often called him the ‘sea otter’, as he liked to spend large portions of the day floating on his back in the ocean, whiskers above the waves. At Christmas, he was the Ghost of Christmas Present. He continued these traditions while spending his vacations with Gwen and family going to Delaware, Lake Chautauqua, NY, and Staunton, VA.

Holidays and spirited debate with family were a requirement. It was always so loud when the family convened. His booming “courtroom voice” and laugh will echo in the memories of all those who knew him. His children will miss his phone calls, which always began with, “Bryn/Sage/Max, This is your Father”, despite the advent of caller ID. He was never one to censor books, movies or music for his kids. Bryn remembers watching Alien with him at a tender age. He valued the open mind. Max and John talked and argued about sports, and John and Sage shared a keen interest in parsing politics. He expected them to ‘make their case’. That same booming voice he used in discussions was also the lead off for the singing of happy birthday in the family.

John was a lover of all animals. He had an affinity and knack for making them all his friends. His first pet as a child was JEP, an English springer spaniel, who he trained to do a variety of tricks, including sneezing on command. But he also had many cats and even an owl, and the occasional snake or frog. Later, his special connection with cats earned him the nickname of “Cat Wizard” amongst his children and their friends. He was also a birdwatcher, something he began as a young adult while traveling out west. John is survived by dozens of beloved cats, 3 of his own (Fuji, Spock, and Mama) and 15 of his children’s, plus one very special dog, Scallion.

John met his martial arts community family in WV when he moved to Morgantown, in whose company he spent decades enjoying the fellowship of kindred spirits, careful study, and practice. And with whom he remained close through his illness. His Chi Lin tattoo honors this part of his life. His work and martial arts families supported him through his illness, just as friends ought to.

He was a Steelers football fan (and critic), with his ‘worrisome washrag’ as a stand-in for the ‘terrible towel’, and a lot of ‘courtroom voice’ heard during games. John loved listening to music, live and otherwise. He could often be found on his days off listening to or watching recordings of his favorite musicians, using his old beat-up headphones and iPad. He introduced an appreciation of poetry and Shakespeare plays to Gwen. Gwen read Treasure Island to him aloud while he was in the hospital. It was their last literary adventure together.

He is predeceased by his parents, Edgar Perrott and Eleanor Perrott, his father-in-law, Nicholas Dinos, brother-in-law Chris Dinos, and sister-in-law, Janet Morgan. John is survived by his three children, his wife Gwen Perrott, his mother-in-law Lillian Dinos, and his nephews and niece.

Especially during his illness, his very special favorite correspondent was Bette, Gwen’s godmother and aunt. She texted and sent cards and called all throughout. Her compassion and humor tickled him. She always made him chuckle.

It is a much duller world without John. 74 years is no age for a man whose life force spilled out of him at every moment. No obituary is truly adequate to sum up a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ACLU or cat rescue of your choice.

Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation arrangements. 

Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com