Uncle John LaCourt

The loss of Uncle John has been lying heavy on my heart. He always had a smile on his face.

I have some very fond memories of him as a child. He use to tease all of the cousins (nieces and nephews to him) about flushing us down the toilet. When we would visit him, Aunt Jeanette and Karrie in Farmington, MI, he always went out of his way to entertain us and make us feel welcome. The more current memories of him were the advice he would give me on being self employed. When I became a REALTOR, he gave me some advice that I have never forgotten and I have shared it with many of my colleges. It was advice I will never forget and will always think of him fondly. I added him to the newsletter mailing list at my current job. He would text me when he received a newsletter and say sweet things to me. I am going to miss him dearly and really wish I could have lived closer to him. God has received a very special angel and I have lost a very special uncle. May he rest in peace and watch over Aunt Jeanette, Karrie and her family during this difficult time.

Jodi Fabrizio-Clontz

John was special. The summer before John and Jeanette were married I stayed at the Bay City house. All of 12 years old and with no local friends I could think of nothing better than to hang out with John and Jeanette in the evenings when they were done work. Rather than treating me like a pest (which I clearly was) John included me in their social activities. Just what they needed during the last month before they got married – a 12 year old chaperon. Looking back on it, in effect John treated me like another younger sibling. I remember spending time at some lake with John and his family. His brother George had built a 14 foot speed boat which had an outboard motor the size of the boat. It was basically a flat piece of wood attached to a huge outboard motor. I loved boats and water so that was a special week end.

I remember their wedding with great fondness. The church was so new it almost wasn’t completed by the day of the wedding. I believe it was the first wedding to be held in that cuurch. I thought the wedding was a fairytale story with lots of attendants. The fact that they then lived in a tiny 30’ silver trailer for 4 years is a real testimony to how compatible John and Jeanette were, living in such close quarters so long and thriving.

John was all heart. When I was in college I hitchhiked from western Illinois to Farmington to see them. I was impressed with John’s tire stores. We discussed his plans for helping others with his capital. He had all the qualities that made him so special: Bright, curious, always enhancing his knowledge on many subjects, extremely hard working, fun, quick witted, insightful and cheeky. He was forever a pleasure to be with. Informative and yet inquisitive. Both a good listener and a good advisor. Rare.

Della and I had a wonderful time in Phoenix during our last trip, much due to John’s enduring charm, warmth and caring. John touched many and will be missed by all those he touched. For Jeanette, Karrie, Tim, Savannah and Ryan I know losing such a wonderful spirit will leave a HUGE hole but John was loved and respected by many and he enriched your lives in many ways. This love and respect will help carry you along forever as you go forward.

Ed and Della

Tribute to John. How do I even begin to state how important John was in my life. Being the oldest of us four siblings, I always looked up to him as a protector. I always thought John and Jeanette lit up the room when they entered. I really don’t remember Jeanette not being part of our family, as her and John were high school sweethearts. One of my best memories was at Silver Valley when I was with John and Jeanette and John carved their initials in a big oak tree. That was when they told me they were getting married. I was so excited that I was finally going to have a sister. I remember crying the night they were married as I realized John would never live in our house any more. I have great memories when Karrie was born and I spent some time with John and Jeanette in helping with the new little girl. I loved that bonding time with all of them. I remember a time when John and Jan came to Bay City and around midnight we decided to invite the whole family to our house for a brunch with an Italian meal. I stayed up all night cooking. I have another memory that shows what as big heart John had. When our dad was drying in the hospital, Mike had spent the whole night with dad and when he went to our car in the parking lot only to have as flat tire. The following week he took our car to his store and put four new tires on it at his expense. I could go on and on, but at the end, I can’t believe he is only memories to me now. I love you John. I love Jeanette and was always happy to see the twinkle in Johns eyes when he looked at his Nettie. His family was his life and his love for all of them was his priority in life.

Isabelle Tiglio

Memories of John. There are so many where do you start? Some of the best ones are from West Branch snowmobiling. Where John and Jeanette opened their cabin up to us like it was our own. One of John’s favorite was the old West Branch shower where you sprayed a little deodorant under your arms and you were off. We were up there almost every weekend in the winter. But there are so many more like taking us to sporting events in Detroit in his Nash Metropolitan so he could find a parking space easier. Most of all I’m going to miss our phone calls where I stayed up to date on Karrie and her family who he couldn’t say enough about. We miss you very much already.
George and Elaine LaCourt

It seems just like yesterday Jack and Jeanette came into my husband’s life as well as mine, but it was in the early 90s that we got together for a company Christmas party at the Glendale Community Center and later found ourselves having breakfast and lunches together and becoming good friends. Jack and my husband Ron shared all the same interests, Jack being so up on current events, sports, etc. When I think about Jack I find myself in a whirlwind of thoughts: Jack and Jeanette driving us to UCLA for a possible heart transplant consideration not once but for several times a year for three or four years – making the trip over the hot desert, the car rental overheated at 117 degrees – the Quartzite police rescuing us – Ron drinking hot coffee, Jack drinking ice water. Jack made those trips possible, planning lunch of fish and chips on the sandy beach with the cool breezes rolling over Ron – memories I will forever cherish because Jack was that someone who gave faith, hope, peace, and comfort to another human being. Jack was such a caring, loving friend that my husband and I felt that he and his wife were the family we never had. His presence at my husband’s funeral, taking over the responsibilities for me, were gratefully accepted. My recent falling on the floor with three fractured vertebra in the middle of the night and calling Jack and Jeanette for help to get to the hospital, they showed their kindness by rushing to my side. And when the door to another world opened and Jack slipped through to be met with his family and friends, I knew my husband and I were truly blessed with a once in a lifetime friendship that many never had, slipping away to another world just a breath or two away. White flowers will always remind me of tears that are shed for someone we truly love as a brother. God truly gave me a gift: him.

Mary Jane Green

I didn’t have as many opportunities to visit with Jack as I would have liked, but every time we were at a family function or event together I was struck by how charming, funny and caring he was. Observing he and Jeanette together was always a testament to a wonderful marriage, as they clearly loved and supported one another and had a strong relationship together. My heart goes out to Jeanette as she faces a future without her partner and friend that has been part of her life for so long. It was also clear that Jack was a devoted father, grandfather and father-in-law. He had such a close and loving relationship with his entire family, and it always touched my heart. I love my brother Tim, his wife Karen and their kids Savannah and Ryan with every fiber of my being, and I know how devastating this loss is to them and to Jeanette. Jack not only accepted my brother into the family, but also welcomed him with open arms and became a father figure and friend. I know that the times spent at Jack and Jeanette’s house enjoying each other’s company were lively, fun and relaxing for everyone involved, and to feel completely comfortable, accepted and appreciated is such a gift. Jack was also an amazing grandfather who cherished attending every dance recital, softball game, music gig, holiday, ceremony or graduation of his grandchildren. The bond they shared will make his loss so difficult, but the memories and feelings will remain, and the time that was shared was precious. My heartfelt condolences go out to everyone who loved Jack and is facing his absence. He lives on in all of our memories and in our hearts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, always.
Tracy Lange