My heart is broken, as Debbie and I have just learned today of John’s passing. Our Christmas card we sent to you last year came back, and we couldn’t find a new address. John was a very good friend of mine in high school. There are so few of my school classmates that I have kept in touch with, and was so, so glad to see John come walking into our backyard a few years ago. It was such a great time catching up. We were happy to celebrate John’s 60th birthday with you also.
My greatest and fondest memory of John is when we put on a fundraising show for the Jerry Lewis Telethon at Greece Athena High School in 1974. John played the role of “Janitor”, appearing between acts with a push broom, doing funny little routines everyone enjoyed. Near the end of the show, while cleaning up after the previous act, John “accidentally” bumped the piano keys, fiddled a bit with it, then suddenly sat down and played (beautifully) my original song “La Moulette” (a song he learned to play in school and loved). He won the hearts of everyone that night, and I will never forget it.
Our condolences, Leslie, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John taught me how to set up and tear down for performance of the AMAZING Coupe de ville band.
He was a great friend and co worker and will be greatly missed by all!
Paul (Kirk) Vanaman
My heart is broken, as Debbie and I have just learned today of John’s passing. Our Christmas card we sent to you last year came back, and we couldn’t find a new address. John was a very good friend of mine in high school. There are so few of my school classmates that I have kept in touch with, and was so, so glad to see John come walking into our backyard a few years ago. It was such a great time catching up. We were happy to celebrate John’s 60th birthday with you also.
My greatest and fondest memory of John is when we put on a fundraising show for the Jerry Lewis Telethon at Greece Athena High School in 1974. John played the role of “Janitor”, appearing between acts with a push broom, doing funny little routines everyone enjoyed. Near the end of the show, while cleaning up after the previous act, John “accidentally” bumped the piano keys, fiddled a bit with it, then suddenly sat down and played (beautifully) my original song “La Moulette” (a song he learned to play in school and loved). He won the hearts of everyone that night, and I will never forget it.
Our condolences, Leslie, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim & Debbie Schmitt
John taught me how to set up and tear down for performance of the AMAZING Coupe de ville band.
He was a great friend and co worker and will be greatly missed by all!
Paul (Kirk) Vanaman