A former Irwin priest who died of pancreatic cancer last October was honored with plaques attached to a street sign behind the Immaculate Conception Church Tuesday.

The Rev. John Moineau died in October 2025. He served the church for 19 years.

“Father John (Moineau) had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and he was devoted to the communities of Irwin, North Irwin and North Huntingdon,” said Chris Peta, one of the organizers of the initiative to memorialize Moineau. About 80 people attended the unveiling of the plaques.

The group, Friends of Father John, placed two 1-by-2-foot plaques on either side of the Church Alley street sign at the intersection with Oak Street, which is behind Immaculate Conception Church on Second Street. The plaques, with a picture of Moineau in his vestments, show the vital dates from Moineau’ s life: his birth, baptism, ordination and his death last Oct. 25.

The priest’s sisters, Claire and Gail Moineau, unwrapped the covering on the plaques attached to the Church Alley sign.

Peta, one of the leaders of Friends of Father John, said they plan to erect similar plaques in the near future at the Church Alley street sign at the intersection of Depot Street, which also is behind the church. The placement of the plaque on the street sign was timed to have it in place for what would have been Moineau’s 65 birthday on June 19

Claire Moineau said her brother loved the parishioners at Immaculate Conceptions Church “and they loved him.”

“He met the need here,” Claire Moineau said.

Claire Moineau said that her brother had a calling to go into the priesthood because it is what he knew. He had an uncle and three cousins on his mother’s side of the family who were priests.

“He knew what it was all about,” Claire Moineau said.

Gail Moineau echoed her sentiments about a mutual love between priest and parishioners

“My brother loved these people,” Gail Moineau said, noting how many people had come to the event to show support for her brother.

She recalled with fondness how her 6-foot—7-inch brother would hold baptized babies high above his head for parishioners to see.

Deborah Constantine of Irwin said she wanted to be there to honor Moineau.

“He was wonderful. We had a lot of memories,” of him, Constantine said.

“He practiced what he preached,” said Fred Nicholas of Irwin, who was joined by his wife, Marianne, who said she wanted to come to support Father John and his legacy.

Barbara Braun of Penn Township credited Moineau for getting her to return church after a family loss.

“He brought a lot of us back to the church,” Braun said.