Harty, John Richard was born June 21st, 1940 and passed away on June 3rd, 2014 at the age of 73. John died peacefully, surrounded by his children and loving wife of 49 years, Kathleen. He is survived by his four children, Colleen Taricani (Joseph F. Taricani Jr.), John Jr. (Leslie Ann Harty), Margaret Tennant (Michael Tennant), and Kevin (Jaclyn Huber). "Big John" or simply "Papa" as he was lovingly called was blessed with 5 wonderful grandchildren, Jack, Joey, Cameron, Kate, and Katie.

John was born in Muncie, Indiana, the only child of Arthur J. Harty and Margaret Harty (O'Connor). His father, Arthur passed away within the first year of John's life and he and his mother moved to Fall River, Massachusetts to live with his Aunt, Catherine O'Connor and his grandparents Richard B. and Sarah O'Connor. Fall River was John's home throughout his childhood where he developed an avid affection for Boston sports & the Red Sox in particular. After attending Durfee High School where he lettered in Basketball and won a state championship in 1956, John went on to attend the University of Notre Dame, receiving a scholarship for academic excellence. It was here in South Bend that John would meet his future wife Kathleen who was attending Saint Mary's College, just a short distance from the Notre Dame campus. Little did the two know, it would be a serendipitous bicycle accident in front of Notre Dame's Sorin Hall that would bring Kathleen and John together for the next 53 years.

After graduating Notre Dame with a degree in Civil Engineering, John went on to receive an MBA from Northwestern University. Turning down offers from Stanford and Harvard, John was intent on remaining close to Kathleen while she finished her undergraduate studies at Saint Mary's College.

The couple married shortly after Kathleen graduated college in the spring of 1965 and the two would find themselves moving frequently, giving birth to their first daughter, Colleen while living in Cleveland, and subsequently moving to Detroit, Chicago, Tulsa, and even residing in the Netherlands where they gave birth to their eldest son, John, Jr. When John was relocated while serving as a President of PepsiCo, Inc. to Laguna Beach, Ca, the two fell in love with the people, weather and landscape and would call Laguna home for the next 35 years. They gave birth to their twins Margaret (Meg) & Kevin in 1982.

John had passion in all facets of his life -as a husband, as a father and grandfather, as President and owner of PBS Building Systems and certainly, as a Notre Dame and Red Sox fan. Football Saturdays in the Harty household were either filled with cheers or curses, and one could measure the success or failures of the Fighting Irish at all times, even from several houses away.

When Notre Dame was not playing, John enjoyed playing golf with Kathleen and his children as well as coaching little league or attending his children's sporting events. Friends were always in abundance wherever John went. Serving as president of the board in the communities of Emerald Bay and later, Crystal Cove, John was respected for his savvy business sense and his infectious sense-of-humor. You could find John playing tennis in Emerald Bay, bridge at the beach and somehow, he was even able to maintain close relationships with the communities' multitude of USC alums; bitter rivals of John's beloved Irish. John made many friends in Crystal cove in more recent years while running his beagle, Charlie in the community's dog park.

A respected leader, John received many accolades while serving as a board member on various Modular Building Associations and as board trustee at Cornelia Connelly High School, where he took joy in handing-out diplomas to graduates for several years. Gifted in the art of public speaking, John stole the hearts of every audience he touched.

Unfortunately, John was no stranger to cancer and proved to be a stubborn fighter. In 2000, he was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and would go on to beat it with the help of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center doctors and staff. After defeating the pernicious disease, John retired and acquired a newfound lease on life. He never ceased to be of service though, taking calls from the loved ones of those fighting pancreatic cancer and offering support at all hours of the day.

Over the next 14 years, John and Kathleen were world travelers, taking cruises throughout the Mediterranean, Central and South America, making friends with people from as far away as New Zealand, and making countless trips to visit his children and grandchildren who were then spread across the country.

A lover of good food and good company, John made many friends at the blackjack tables in Las Vegas and while frequenting the Del Mar & Santa Anita Race Tracks. John will no-doubt be immortalized in the stories told by his colleagues, classmates and neighbors over the years, all who shared a resounding love for him and his enormous heart.

Services will be held at St. Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, June 11th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Foundation or to the University of Notre Dame.