"John was a good man and a friend to all. It was great seeing him at the TKE reunion in Marquette. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Dennis & Janis (Easey) Daulton NMU / TKE"
In loving memory of
John C. DaPra, Jr.
July 31, 1946 - February 13, 2005
John C. DaPra, Jr., age 58 of 238 Eagles Nest Road, Marquette, died peacefully Sunday evening, February 13, 2005 at home in the comfort and care of his family with the help of Lake Superior Hospice.
John was born on July 31, 1946 in Ironwood to John C. and Katherine (Krizmenich) DaPra, Sr. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1968 where he was a member of the TKE Fraternity. He received two masters degrees from Eastern Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University.
John was an educator for 33 years and during that time he involved many students in personal experiences in outdoor education. After retiring in 2001, he and his wife moved to Marquette from Clinton Township.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved nature, kayaking, back packing and camping. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.
Survivors include his loving wife, Karen J. DaPra who he married on April 8, 1994 at Clinton Township; two children, Kristen (John) McCabe of Chicago, IL and Jennifer (Keith) Williams of Colorado Springs, CO; two step children, Kathleen (John) OMalley of Kaneohe, HI and Jennifer (Tom) Cope of Sterling Heights; his father, John C. DaPra, Sr. of Ironwood; also five beloved grandchildren, Jacob, Jack, Jared, Katy and Jenna. He was preceded in death by a son, Anthony DaPra in 1999 as well as his mother, Katherine DaPra in 1999.
Friends may call at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. where a parish prayer service will be recited at 8 p.m. Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Jed Patrick officiating. Visitation will also be at the church one-hour prior to the mass on Friday.
Pallbearers will be Gordy Kennedy, Chuck Taylor, John OMalley, Tom Cope, Keith Williams and John McCabe.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the ALSTDF, 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142 or to the Lake Shore Foundation c/o Kennedy Middle School, 23101 Masonic Blvd., St. Clair Shores, MI 48082, or to the Lake Superior Hospice Association, 326 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855.
Tributes
"John, we have missed you at Lake Shore for the last few years and now we will miss you even more. You left Lake Shore with so many good memories for the school, for the staff and for your friends. What you did for Lake Shore will always be remembered and what you did for your friends - a simple smile, how are you today, just a friendly conversation - will always be with us. Karen - be strong. You have a wonderful support system with your family and with your friends at a distance. Love and prayers, Cindy Ohrt"
"Our deepest sympathy to the family on your loss. I am so happy I got to see John at our last class reunion. He will be dearly missed by everyone in our class. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."
"John lived life to its fullest. He was always positive and I compliment him on bring so many together the summer of 2003. The memories will live for a life time."
"Mr. DaPra was a wonderful teacher and he will be missed by a lot of students he taught at James Rodgers Junior High in St. Clair Shores. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
"John was always a fierce competitor in broomball and bantam tug at NMU. He was always the person to go to. Our deepest sympathies to John's family and friends. The Bridgman family NMU/TKE"
"John was a wonderful friend to both of us. He was our neighbor for a long time. We have many fond memories of him. We remember his numerous camping trips with his students. He loved the water--canoeing in the Old Town canoe & white water rafting in West Virginia with a group. We remember going to the local nurseries to purchase plants for our yards. John's yard was always perfect. If John was cutting the lawn, we knew it was time for us to cut, too. We watched his family grow up. Both of his girls, Kristen and Jenny, babysat for our two sons. We wish we could be there with the family. Our deepest sympathy to all of you."
"I write this tribute with a heavy heart. I met Mr. Dapra over 32 years ago as a young 13 year old boy. He is one of the few great people that helped form my character and belief system. He was my coach, teacher, mentor, and friend. I will cherish the many memories that we shared and will remember them for the rest of my life. I'm glad that I had the pleasure of knowing someone like Mr. Dapra. I wish that I could have been there more for him. I know now that he is in a better place. Coach Dapra, I miss you and look forward to meeting you again in the future."
"My sincerest sympathy to all of John's family. I will always remember him as a really nice person, and a pleasure to know, throughout our catechism classes, and high school years. He will surely be missed; but I know he is at peace now."
"Karen and Family, I was saddened to learn of John's passing. Living so far from Michigan for many years, I haven't taken the opportunity to stay in touch with him and our other fraternity brothers as much as I would have liked to. Given the loss of John and others this past year, I am very sorry that I haven't stayed in touch. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. With sympathy, Jim Kalamajka"
"Please accept my sympathy. Dale aways enjoyed John's company and thought highly of him. It made me feel very good to see John at Dale's funeral. They are both in TKE heaven now. John will be missed. Sincerely, Nancy Berglund"
"We were so sorry to hear about John. Our deepest sympathies to Karen and the family. John was a childhood friend who will be missed. May your memories be eternal. Jon & Peggy Kennedy"
"I send my my deepest sympathy to the entire family. I just want to share that I was one of John's childhood friends at Sleight and Central School. His bright light will shine on for so many of us whose lives he touched. We were all lucky to have known him, whether as an old friend,student, or family member. May he rest in peace."
"Karen and John's Family, John was a great man who enjoyed life to the fullest.I enjoyed every moment working with him at Lake Shore, the good times after work, the lunches in the kitchen, and all of his pratical jokes he played on everyone. John, I loved worked with you and for you as our boss, and I am going to miss you and your emails. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Karen and the family at this tough time. Keep your head high and smile because John will be looking down on us all! Love, Bob and Kathy Plotkowski and the girls."
"For John's Family It was so wonderful to 'see' John at the Class Reunion this past summer. I am so thankful he could be there. My sympathy to all of you... Love, Sue (class of 1964)"
"Dearest Karen... Our deepest sympathy to you for your loss. We were so happy for you that you and John found each other and had some great years together, although too few. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Tom & Jan"
"Karen and family: I went to NMU with John and was a brother TKE. I remember him as steady, strong and serious. I enjoyed those years as I'm sure he did, I was able to talk with him at the last TKE reunion. Please accept my condolences. I will always remember. God bless each of you. Dick"
"Perhaps it was the commitment, dedication, and devotion Mr. DaPra displayed as my teacher. Maybe it was seeing Coach DaPra leaping down the sidelines, more excited than me at scoring a touchdown. It could have been his compassion and empathy towards a frightened and confused young 7th grader. Whatever it was I am grateful to have had Mr. Dapra as a teacher, coach and mentor. His guidance has been with me ever since. Please accept my condolences and rejoice in the fact Mr. DaPra touched so many lives in such a positive way."
"Hello, You may not remember me, yet I was Tony's best friend in grade school, Nathan. I think about Tony all the time (man do I ever), and how Mr. Dapra (John) would take all of us kids to Cedar Point together with his class. That was the best vacation, and I looked forward to it every year. How a person can not only take on an entire graduating class, yet take his son and his deviant friends along with him is beyond mediation. Thank you and your entire family; John, Karen, Kristen, Jennifer and Anthony I will always remember, GOD BLESS YOU ALL: Nathan Grzymkowski Family: Ralph, Jackie, Aaron, Jacob, Nathan and Jeremy Aarons got two, Im engaged (May 29th is the big day)"