John R. Birmingham

Father, loving husband, grandfather, brother, and friend. Golfer. John R. Birmingham, 81, born in Pittsburgh, retired to Singer Island, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by those that loved him on January 21, 2021. Survived by his wife of 30 years, Marge, his brother Robert, his sister Elizabeth Wellman; his children: Julia Lawson (James), John (Kathy), Beth LeBlanc (Mike), Carolyn Smith (Gwyeth); his step-daughters Vicki Roll, Shannon Williams (Jeff), Kathleen Spinelli (Matt); and his

grandchildren: Thomas, Emilie, and Alex Lawson; Madeleine and Patrick Birmingham; Amy, Mika, and Lucas LeBlanc; and Charlie, Owen, Benny, and Andrew (train buddy) Smith.

John graduated from Duke University in ‘61 where he was the captain of the men’s soccer team and a member of the men’s golf team, which won the ACC Championship in 1959 and 1961.

John was an avid golfer who played with the best of them. He measured his time based on golf trips and rounds, and had many special times with family and friends on the courses he loved so dearly. He was a long-time member of Oakmont Country Club, Seminole Golf Club, and Secession Golf Club.

Throughout his amateur golf career, he qualified for 16 USGA events, including 15 national amateurs and the 1968 U.S. Open, won multiple Pennsylvania state and West Penn Amateur championships, and the Dixie Amateur. In 1960, he was ranked as the 8th amatuer nationally. He was a past president of the Pennsylvania Golf Association, and in 2016, he was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame. Nothing made him prouder, though, than winning the 1994 West Penn Father & Son.

Besides being a passionate golfer, above all else, John was a friend. During his illness and in the months leading up to his death, John received countless phone calls, emails, and text messages from people from all stages of his life expressing how his friendship had impacted their lives. Some of the best stories he had were of the experiences he had with his friends. In the end, the relationships that John built were

the tell-tale signs of the good man that he was. He was loved by many and will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to your local First Tee organization or hospice care.