John Ayoob was born on February 14, 1937, at the Rochester General Hospital, in Rochester, Pennsylvania, the son of John J. and Frieda (Frank) Ayoob.  He was of Lebanese descent. He was raised in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He always stated that he was "just a middle-class kid from Aliquippa."

His Catholic education began at St. Titus Elementary School in Aliquippa, and continued at St. Veronica HIgh School in Ambridge, both in Beaver County. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1959, majoring in Psychology. After his undergraduate studies, he earned his Doctorate of Divinity from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He was ordained for the Diocese of Pittsburgh at the Vatican in 1965. 

Fr. John was assigned as a Parochial Vicar (Assistant) to St. Paul Parish in Butler, St. Christopher Parish in Prospect, and Church of the Resurrection in the Brookline neighborhood of the South Hills of Pittsburgh (at Resurrection from October 29, 1969 - June 15, 1970). He also served as the Director of Mental Health in Butler County, while also serving as Vice-Chancellor to Bishop Vincent Martin Leonard at the Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center. He served as Parochial Vicar at the Slovak St. John Parish in Lyndora. 

In 1995, Fr. John Ayoob was transferred from St. John's to become the 3rd pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in the Moon Township suburb of Pittsburgh. In 2005, St. Margaret Mary, built in 1972, underwent a $700,000 renovation under the pastorship of Fr. Ayoob, which included new lighting, hardwood floors, wood panels surrounding the altar, handicapped facilities in restrooms, new carpeting, new stained glass windows, and the opening of side walls for better lighting.  

Father John was an avid reader of the New York Times, the New Yorker Magazine, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and countless nonfiction books as demonstrated by his vast library collection. He retired from St. Margaret Mary in 2010, but continued working as a mental health counselor in his retirement.

He lived out his retirement at the Cork Factory, a loft-style apartment community on the Allegheny River in the remodeled former Armstrong Cork Factory in the Strip District area of Downtown Pittsburgh, where he became the unofficial chaplain. He exuded kindness, humility, and wisdom, and all who knew him clamored for more time in his presence.

The life of Fr. John was a tapestry woven together by his caring, gentle nature and his free spirit. The rich and colorful threads of his tapestry were the relationships he formed with his family, his parishioners, his mental-health-practitioner colleagues and clients, his numerous priest friends, and his Cork neighbors.

Fr. John Ayoob passed away on January 4, 2024, at age 86. He died peacefully without suffering while swimming in the pool on a cruise ship. He paused his swimming to gaze up at the sky as he drew his last breath.

He is survived by his nieces Lynn Ayoob of Kennedy Township, Pennsylvania, and Lisa (Doug) Lindsay of Lakeland, Florida, both of whom looked up to their uncle as a 2nd father. He was also a bonus grandfather to great-niece Gina (Brandon) Ortega of Artesia, New Mexico, and great-nephews, Schulyer Lindsay of Chicago, Illinois, and Spencer (Abby) Lindsay of Ft. Moore, Georgia. He is also survived by many Ayoob, Fadool, Frank, and Michael cousins throughout Western Pennsylvania and across the country. He was predeceased by his parents, John J. and Frieda (Frank) Ayoob. 

Arrangements were by and Visitation was at Copeland Funeral Home, 981 Brodhead Rd., Moon Township, PA 15108 on Tuesday, January 16, 2:00–8:00 p.m. Additional viewing was on Wednesday, January 17, 9:00–11:00 a.m. followed by the celebration of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 1 Parish Place, Moon Township, PA 15108. The main celebrant was Bishop Mark Anthony Eckman with several priest celebrants; the homilist was Fr. Louis F. Vallone. A reception with cookie tables was held in the church hall afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were requested to the Fr. John Ayoob Trust at the Pittsburgh Foundation, 5 PPG Place, Suite 250, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Information from the funeral home website; the January 14 and February 4, 2024, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus bulletins and website; the August 18, 2005, Tribune Review newspaper; the 75th Anniversary booklet of the Church of the Resurrection; and personal knowledge. Edited and submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.