John Kondravy, 77, originally from Allentown passed away Friday morning, September 29, 2017 at LGH.

John was privileged to have had not one but two meaningful careers: teaching high school students first in the Philadelphia area, then Lincoln Junior High School, and finally at J. P. McCaskey, and cofounding Organization for Responsible Care of Animals, ORCA. Both of these careers were based on a work ethic established early in life.

As a teen he became a soda jerk, then a stage hand at Melody Circle in Allentown. After graduating from Allentown High School, where he was an honors student and involved in dramatic arts, he began a career as a copy editor at Prevention Magazine to enable himself to attend Kutztown University. He attended school during the day and worked second shift at night. He also was an usher at the19th Street Arts Theatre during this time.

Finding a teaching position at Interboro School District as a math teacher, he produced the first school musical the town had ever experienced.

Meeting his wife, Connie Ranck Kondravy, John settled in Lancaster. Both learned the plight of animals and volunteered for several years at the Humane League of Lancaster County. John was invited to join the board and soon became first vice-president.

Concerned for ill, injured, and in distress animals who were not being rescued, John and three others founded ORCA. For nine years John taught days and did emergencies at night to rescue these animals in need.

About fifteen year ago, he attended Humane Police Officers Training School and received his badge. He worked tirelessly for the animals. He believed in education first; then, prosecution if all else failed. From 2007 until a few days before his death, he had closed about 1300 abuse cases in Lancaster County. He was honored in the past by The Central Penn Business Journal for his abuse investigation work as a humane police officer.

In his private life his passions included opera, which he discovered as a young teen when he accidentally found the Metropolitan Opera Saturday matinee broadcasts on his bedside radio. He was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild which led him to become devoted to New York City and its beautiful music and architecture. His love of reading is demonstrated by his goal in 2000 to read the Time's hundred best books of the 20th century. Having read many of them before, he read all in order backwards! In exactly 3 years and 3 days, he proudly reached his goal.

John will be sorely missed by his wife Connie of 53 years, his canine pals Teresa and Mattie, and his cat Prince Orlofsky. Memorial remembrances of John may be sent to ORCA, 610 North Lime Street, Lancaster, PA 17602.

An evening of celebration of John's life will occur on November 4, 2017 at Four Seasons Banquet and Golf Course in Landisville. Friends wishing to attend are invited to call the Animal-Alert Hotline at (717) 397-8922 for more details.