Dr. John Albert Susanin

Dr. John A. Susanin 1935-2026

Dr. John Susanin, 91, of Blue Bell (and formerly Chestnut Hill and Lafayette Hill) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. He was born on May 18,1935 in Palmerton, PA as the fifth of eight children and was a graduate of Stephen S. Palmer High School. He went on to attend Villanova University and was a graduate of Temple University School of Dentistry. It was there that he met his wife Natalie, to whom he was married for 64 years until her passing in 2023. He went on to serve as a Captain in the United States Air Force for two years before returning to start his own dental practice in Chestnut Hill. John then joined Chesheim Dental Associates as the third partner. He proudly practiced as a general dentist for over three decades with a specialty in occlusion/TMJ until the early onset of macular degeneration cut his career short. He was a board member of the L.D. Pankey Institute whose philosophy of relationship-based dentistry played a key role in driving his successful practice. 

John and his late wife Natalie raised their four sons in Lafayette Hill. He was member of Whitemarsh Valley Country Club for over 50 years and was best known for being the announcer at his sons’ swim meets. During that time, he also served as President of the Country Club League of Philadelphia. He treasured the years of his steady golf foursome that included his late brother Roger, his dear friend, Joe Sabota, and his late friend Jack Woychik. John was also known to dominate the card room playing gin rummy. Nothing gave him more joy than sharing his small cash winnings with his sons, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. 

During those years, John was known for driving his sons to school every day to Norwood Academy and LaSalle College High School. He was a talented trumpet player and known to grab the “horn” from his car and spontaneously join the band at weddings or large family gatherings. But his musical talent was best remembered as part of an unlikely duo of his trumpet and the late Mr. Richard Look’s banjo – where they played for years at parties with friends gathered around singing. His sense of humor was second to none with an endless arsenal of jokes that always seemed perfect for the situation. And somehow, he always caught people off-guard with April Fools jokes every year (until the end). John had a love for cars and he was an avid sports fan who never missed a game for the Philles, Eagles or Villanova Basketball. 

John was very proud to be one of the eight Susanin siblings, father to four sons, grandfather to his ten grandchildren and his newest great grandchild. But he was most proud to be married to Natalie. He was very grateful to his caregiver Bernard Williams, who took amazing care of him since Natalie’s passing. 

He is survived by his children and spouses, Peter and Joy Susanin; Timothy and Barbara Susanin; Jay and Silke Susanin; and Chris and Carolyn Susanin. In addition, John is survived by his ten grandchildren, Jack, Scott, Jamie, Annabel, Ryan, Barbara, Quinn, JD, Cornelia, Cal, and his great-granddaughter Addison. He is pre-deceased by his wife Natalie, his parents, Andrew and Anna Susanin; his sisters, Marguerite Kelley and Elaine Looby; and his brothers, Ed, Andre, Ernie, Butch and Roger Susanin. 

Relatives and friends are invited to John’s Visitation on Saturday November 14th at 9:00 AM followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at Our Mother of Consolation (9 E Chestnut Hill Ave, Chestnut Hill, PA 19118).