John L. Tague Jr.

John L. Tague, Jr., passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at age 79. He was born in Erie on January 9, 1947, but grew up in Pittsburgh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mary (Haney) Tague and his younger brother, William (Billy) Tague.

He is survived by his wonderful wife, Anna (Kudrav) Tague and two loving daughters, Keeley (Taylor) and Molley (Ron), who will remember him fondly as a caring dad. He is also survived by his sister Debbie McCarthy (John) and nephews Matt Tague and Nate Tague and John McCarthy III as well as nieces Bridget (Geoff) McCarthy-Lasda, Dee (John) O’Kane, and Hannah; his great-niece Brynn, and his great-nephew Jack.

He had two careers: one in sales and marketing; the other in community engagement.

John was employed by several managed car organizations and remained active in health care issues through his work with the Consumer Health Coalition.

John joined the Pittsburgh Jaycees (Vectors Pittsburgh) in the 1970s where he learned leadership skills through community service.

From the time he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age 19, he embraced the challenge of breaking down barriers for himself and others.

He served on multiple state boards, including the Governor’s Cabinet and Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities. John believed in the Independent Living Philosophy – that persons with disabilities have the same basic human rights as those persons without disabilities to participate in and contribute to community life.

He served on and was a member of the City/County Task Force on Disabilities and the Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission.

John took pride in being the former project director for the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium, a group dedicated to preserving and honoring the ongoing struggle of Western Pennsylvanians with disabilities to attain human and civil rights.

He was a long time transit and disability rights advocate and was appointed to the Port Authority of Allegheny County Board and the Board of Action Housing.

John was active in his parish and was a member of St. Paul Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council as well an inclusion advocate for the parish.

His was a purpose-driven life marked by grace in the face of every obstacle and an unshakable commitment to service.

John loved Action and Adventure movies and the rhythm and blues music of the 1950s. He was the guy on the dance floor at Lebanon Lodge until closing time. He was also a self-described internet junkie. It was a gateway to a wider world.

A special thanks to his caregivers, who enabled him to live independently for much of his life.

Friends to be received at the SAVOLSKIS-WASIK-GLENN FUNERAL HOME INC., 3501 Main Street, Munhall, 15120, on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 2 – 4 PM and 6 – 8 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 16, at St. Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh, 15213, at 10 AM.  He will be inurned at Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Western Pennsylvania and/or to the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium.

Condolences may be left at www.swgfuneralhome.com.

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