"Thank you so much Sue for your kind words and thoughts. There isn't a thing that I wouldn't have done for that man because he had a way to put things into perspective."
John Eskil Johnson, Jr., 93, of Marquette, died peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans while under the care of Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice.
John was born in Janesville, WI on October 10, 1926 to John Eskil and Ethel (Olson) Johnson, Sr. His father worked for General Motors and there were several moves after that.
Johns high school years were spent at Shattuck Military School and then Redford High School in Detroit, MI, from which he graduated in 1945. He attended Xavier University and then Northern Michigan University until 1948 and then joined the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge and returning to NMU and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1962 and a Masters degree in education in 1968.
John taught at North Central Schools in Menominee County for 30 years and upon retiring was a volunteer teacher at Whitman and Sandy Knoll Schools. He was also a volunteer at Norlite Nursing Center, RSVP and other places where he could be of help.
John was a convert to the Catholic faith in 1954, and deeply valued attendance at daily mass and other devotional practices including the rosary and the stations of the cross. He distributed communion at Norlite Nursing Center and was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
John joined Alcoholics Anonymous in 1961, faithfully attending meetings and sponsoring others on their journey through sobriety. We are told he was the oldest member of AA in the Upper Peninsula with the longest time in sobriety of 59 years. For all of that time he served in the AA ministry at the prison.
John is survived by his sisters, Ellen Ayers and Mary Anne (Jack) Kublin; brother, Peter Johnson; nieces, Julie Bennet, Jodi Schubiner, Jamie Warth and Theresa (Donald) Crawley; nephews, James (Zara) Kublin, George (Wendy) Kublin and Gregory (Cheryl) Kublin; great nieces and nephews, August, Henno, Delphine and Abraham Kublin, Graham, Xavier and Nigel Crawley, Josh Kublin, Allison and Leeanna Kublin, Brandon and Lisa Bennett, Sophie Warth, Ben, Emily and Sam Walfish; close friends, Brian and Stuart; and many others in the AA community. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ethel; brother, Eugene; sister, Nancy Lou; and brother-in-law, Ruston Ayers.
His kindnesses to others were too many to mention, and the gentle and competent care he received in the hospital, D.J. Jacobetti Veterans Facility and by Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice is greatly appreciated by his family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 16th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. The Johnson family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the Bishops Room until the time of the Mass. Burial will take place in the Park Cemetery in July.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider Legacy of Faith c/o the Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Johnson family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
"Thank you so much Sue for your kind words and thoughts. There isn't a thing that I wouldn't have done for that man because he had a way to put things into perspective."
"My condolences to family and friends..peace!!!"
"Thanks "Surf" you where one of his favorites."
"I spent a few decades sitting with Johnny at a Monday night meeting. He always had something to contribute and he was always smiling and positive. He was an inspiration to everyone with his honesty and his wisdom. The most beautiful memory I have of him is his touching friendship with Brian. Johnny held Brian up in the earlier years and then Brian held Johnny up in the later years. You were a good man Johnny. Rest in peace."
"I knew exactly what those short naps would consist of an if you would every ask he would tell you everytime he was awake."
"Beautifully put, Brian."
"I will miss your cheerful and loving presence at meetings. Most of all, will miss sitting with you at daily Mass and, in recent times, keeping you upright as you dozed off during Mass. Sleep well, my friend, until we meet again."
"It was an honor knowing you John. You were an inspiration to many, and you will be missed."
"I can say many things about this wonderful man he showed me how to enjoy what you have but to also pass it on to others so they will be able to understand what the true meaning of " You can only keep what you have is to give it away" John was a truly grateful man to have the ability to carry a message an keep an active group filled with laughs. I will never forget the time that John myself and a few other volunteers where in the Marquette county jail for an AA meeting when he told the story about how he walked into a bar fire a shot and told everyone to put there money on the bar. He walk behind the bar and started gathering the funds and the bartender came up and hit him over the head with a full bottle of beer and the next thing he remembers is being picked up between a couple big bull cops and halling him off to jail. John had many stories like that back in his ole haydays that he could go on and on, on the other hand he was so proud to have had an article printed in the Catholic newsletter name " From gunslinger to God lover" where is explained how he made a decision to turn in his snub nose Smith & Wesson 38 for a Catholic Rosary. John always had that message he would leave on my answering phone stating "this is Johnny J Prison AA let me here back from ya, 10-4, 6-20 code 7 over and out peace brother. Boy oh boy will I miss that. What I do know is he is in a much better place. He will be missed by many and I am so honored to have known him and his family for the pass decade plus"