John T. Gwinn, Jr.

 John Thomas Gwinn, Jr. the beloved son of Geraldine and John Thomas Gwinn, Sr. was born on July 9, 1941 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. John was raised in The Hill District and Homewood where he graduated from Westinghouse High School. He began working construction shortly after. As a 40-year member of the Construction General Laborers’ and Material Handlers Union Local 1058, he helped build various monumental projects such as the Pittsburgh International Airport, Interstate Highway I-79 and the iconic Civic Arena in the Hill District. The Hill District was also where he owned and ran his own car transportation business located on the historical corner of Centre and Kirkpatrick. John was a very intelligent and knowledgeable; not to mention very charming and charismatic. He was also a very dedicated and disciplined musical genius.

Next to his family, playing the guitar was his life. He was a self-taught and spent many of his days and nights perfecting his talent. John absolutely loved playing his guitar. He also played the piano and loved to sing, especially in church. He had a beautiful singing voice and sang with “The Swan Corral” in the mid 1970’s where they recorded a single. John sang in numerous church choirs throughout the city of Pittsburgh, from youth to adulthood. He also shared his musical talent of playing the guitar at the renowned jazz club, The Crawford Grill, as well as other jazz venues. John was a Christian and loved Jesus. He enjoyed talking about the word of God with friends and family. He was a long-standing member of the Bidwell Presbyterian Church located on Pittsburgh’s Northside since the mid 1970’s. He enjoyed singing and playing his guitar in the church choir and was a faithful giver until his last days.

John was called home to glory on Thursday, November 26, 2020, Thanksgiving Day. He was preceded in death by his parents Geraldine and John T. Gwinn Sr., brother Richard J. Gwinn (Sharon), son Spencer D. Gwinn, Sr & granddaughter Amari R. Wahid. Music note His precious memories will be treasured by his two daughters: Kellie Makeba Seay/Hayes and Alia Monifa Carter/Wahid; 8 grandchildren: Spencer Gwinn Jr., Prince Seay, Andraya Carter, Alexis Carter, Countess Seay-McCarter (Lakye), Amoni Carter , Amir Wahid, & Victoria Hayes; 2 great-grandchildren: Noah McCarter and Kalina Williams; Brother: Terry Morgan; Sister: Gwendolyn Morgan, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. John will truly be missed!! - Lovingly Submitted, Kellie & Alia

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