John Albert Halpin, M.D.

Dr. John Albert Halpin, M.D., 88, passed away peacefully on April 21, at the Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by his family. A dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, John, or “Jack,” will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family, his strong Catholic faith, and as a passionate lifelong fan of UK basketball.

Born in Cincinnati on June 13, 1936, Dr. Halpin was the eldest of eight children born to John William Halpin and Mary Margaret Halpin. He grew up in the Peaselburg neighborhood of Covington, Kentucky, where he learned the value of hard work early in life, beginning his first job at the age of nine.  John remained a devout Catholic throughout his life, serving the church as both an alter boy and later as a lay minister.  

Dr. Halpin graduated as the valedictorian of his class at Covington Catholic High School, before pursuing undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Kentucky, finding time in between to get an MBA from Xavier University.  John also served in both the United States Navy, as a sailor, and in the United States Army, as an officer.  

Early in his medical career, John practiced as a family physician in the small town of Midway, Kentucky, where he spent his spare time as the track doctor at Keeneland. Later deciding to specialize in eye surgery, John moved his young family to Rochester, Minnesota, where he was proud to complete his residency in Ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic.

Having finished his training, John relocated to the Village of Indian Hill, Ohio, where he raised his family and practiced as an eye surgeon for over forty years. They say, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” and that was certainly true for John. He always had lots of memorable and amusing stories about his work and many patients over the years.

John met the love of his long life, Margaret Lloyd Averett, of Lexington, Kentucky when he was a medical student and she was a nurse at the hospital. Married for over fifty-six years, Margaret and John had a long and very loving relationship. Margaret passed away a little over two months prior to John, so they were never apart for long.

John is survived by his children: John David Halpin, Benjamin Van Meter Halpin (Kelly), Christopher Lewis Halpin (Stephanie), Stephen Joseph Halpin (Amanda), and William Averett Halpin (Alex); and by his grandchildren: Hannah Isabella Timmerding (Chris), Elizabeth Marina Halpin, Maxwell Spencer Halpin, Wyatt Spence Hawk, Farra Josephine Halpin, Alice Anne Halpin, Oliver Dennis Andrew Halpin, Elizabeth Mae Halpin, Jackson Averett Halpin, and his new great grandson, Thomas Kiely Timmerding; and by his brother, Dr. Michael S. Halpin, M.D., and sister, Madonna Cobb.

Preceded in death by his wife, Margaret A. Halpin, his daughter, Anne Farra Halpin, his parents, John William Halpin and Mary Margaret Halpin, and his siblings, Denny Halpin, Mary Ann Higgins, Joan McClure, Timothy Halpin, and Patrick Halpin.  

Service to be held at St. Gertrude Catholic Church, 6543 Miami Ave., Madeira, OH 45243 at 1:00 pm on May 9, 2025, with a visitation in the Parish Center beginning at 12:00 pm.