Age 99

Beloved husband of the late Rita. Dear father of Kathleen Videcoq, John (Colleena), Ray (Chris), and Mary (Craig) Podulka. Loving grandfather of Laura (Scott) Spaulding, Amy, Zachary (Kelly) Gowen, Matthew Yee, Paul (Alyssa), Emily (Tim) Fuller, Becca, Elizabeth (Mark) Fritschen, and Nicholas (Elise). Great grandfather of Makayla, Nolan, Henry, Diego, Quinn, Madeleine, Eleanor, Will, Max and Aayla. Brother of Lawrence (Carole) and the late Rosemary (James) Harrelson, and Thomas (Jacqueline) Graf.

As a young man, John was a graduate of the Henry Ford Trade School's Class of '43 (W Section) and went on to attend the Ford Apprentice School training as a Journeyman Die-Maker to help his mother and mentor his three younger siblings after his father passed at a young age. He has many fond memories of growing up in Detroit and being a part of history, including crossing the picket line in the historical "Battle of the Overpass" at Ford Motor Company's Rouge Complex.

His career led him to become a supervisor of the Development Shop in the Electrical/Electronics Division at the Ford Motor Company before proudly retiring after 42 years of service. In retirement, John filled his time as President ('04-'05 and '09-'10) of the Henry Ford Trade School Alumni Association, as well as holding numerous other positions, such as President of the Board of Advisors, 1st Vice President, a two-term member of the Board of Directors, and long-time editor of the HFTSAA Newsletter. John was devoted to his faith and community. As one of the early members of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, John taught Catechism, coached the 7th/8th grade baseball teams, and participated at 8:30 Mass as a lector and usher for many years.

Inevitably, John was able to form connections with anyone that he met and to remember their stories for years, even walking away from a random visit to his father's old fire station with the firehouse blanket. John was known for going with the flow, while also loving being in the spotlight as he ran through his repertoire of jokes and stories.

His love for his family has been known for generations. The pride he had in all his grandchildren could be heard loud and clear, especially by all the referees at their sporting events. John's legacy lives on in the smiles and laughter of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As a patriarch of the family and commonly referred to as John "The Elder," he always anticipated the annual Burns reunion with excitement, eager to catch up with the family, reminisce, and share his latest genealogy finds. After nearly 100 years, his memories and extensive genealogy research have all been gathered into binders and written out in his memoirs so that his family, both present and future, will always know their roots.

Visitation Tues 2 -8pm with an evening service at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home. In state Wednesday 9:30 am until the 10 am Funeral Mass at St. John XXIII in Redford.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Capuchins