John passed away August 16, 2024 at the age of 88 surrounded by family. He was born in Connecticut, graduated college in Utah and settled in Minnesota working for IBM for 53 years. He was part of the 1990 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, winning team for the AS/400 computer which is still in use today.
He was a man with a full deck of cards. At different phases of his life he was dealt a number of hands, but he always managed to play a winning hand. His greatest hand was the “full house.” His house was always open and welcome to anyone and everyone. Those who were blessed to be part of it always felt his warmth, love and acceptance.
John J was the best of reliable parenting and friendship with honest truth. He had standards of conduct he both maintained and expected of those around him. He was a great dad to family, near and extended, while also being a solid person and friend to all in his orbit. He could go to any store and say “hello” sincerely, on every aisle, to those he would see.
He enjoyed being active, he played racquetball well into his 70s. He said more than once, “I had 75 great years, and the rest have been a turd in a punchbowl.”
Survived by his wife Bonnie and 6 blended children T. Daniel (Zhamal) Harvey, Kim (Mike) Durigan, Maria (Mitch) Brown, John Schell, Amee (Jason) Austin, Bryan (Loria) Schell and his 8 grandchildren Jemison, Alexandra, Noah, Ian, Rachel (Charlie), Aleah, Brayden, Annwyn. Preceded in death by his father Thomas, mother Helen, and sister Ruth Craft.
All the family would like to give Bonnie and John a special thanks for taking great care of dad/pops these last years.
We will keep you in our hearts until we hear “Hey Paesano!”
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 with luncheon to follow in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held starting one hour prior to the service, in the chapel. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Rollingstone, MN.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
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