John's life ended on July 23, 2019, under compassionate care at the home where he spent his last several months. As with most things about him, his death was conscious. He was out of pain. His two daughters, Beatrice and Genevieve (Gigi), his sweetheart Pat Kunze, and his sister Claire were nearby; John had asked one of them to always stay by his side. Along with grief for losing him, there's a felt sense of release for John from a very difficult ALS journey. He knew that his path led into pure white light, which was joy for him to envision.
A great many people feel the loss of John, and this is testament to the light and love that he brought into his friends' and loved ones' lives. His strong gift was connecting with people, delighting in shared experience—especially dance!, and twinkling his warm laughter. John’s kindness consisted of genuine interest in others, catalyzing shared insights or having fun. Anyone who experienced his energy has seen how it is to be kind and creative; this is a big part of John's legacy.
John would doubtless say that his daughters are his biggest gift in life. His love for Gigi and Beatrice, nurturing these two beautiful humans through their childhood and witnessing their brilliance as adults, has been at the center of John's life journey. Anyone who heard him tell of celebrations with his daughters—of the journeys, gatherings, shared enjoyment; of both their creativity, good fortunes, and the ways he participated in their lives—knows of John's greatest pride and contentment. In turn, the devotion these young women gave their dad through his challenging last year is testimony to a phenomenal life connection.
The last several years of John’s life were also a chance for him to enjoy for himself the gifts he was giving others. With Pat, he found beautiful love. Laughter, music, adventure, harmony, and comfort with one another moment-to-moment pervaded their experience. When these two became dance-partners-in-life, John’s light fully lit up. He very much wished for a longer time to experience this love—and keep giving to everyone around him.
For those who knew John through time, witnessing him arrive where he did was fabulous. He kept orienting toward spiritual and emotional wholeness, as if he knew something wonderful was possible. He kept becoming a more complete person and reflecting on how this felt. So, when his dancing life flowered, his friend-circle magnified, his daughters were flourishing, and great love entered his life, John knew what to do. Embrace all that joy and share it with others, vigorously. We are grateful for the gifts John gave us.
A great many people feel the loss of John, and this is testament to the light and love that he brought into his friends' and loved ones' lives. His strong gift was connecting with people, delighting in shared experience—especially dance!, and twinkling his warm laughter. John’s kindness consisted of genuine interest in others, catalyzing shared insights or having fun. Anyone who experienced his energy has seen how it is to be kind and creative; this is a big part of John's legacy.
John would doubtless say that his daughters are his biggest gift in life. His love for Gigi and Beatrice, nurturing these two beautiful humans through their childhood and witnessing their brilliance as adults, has been at the center of John's life journey. Anyone who heard him tell of celebrations with his daughters—of the journeys, gatherings, shared enjoyment; of both their creativity, good fortunes, and the ways he participated in their lives—knows of John's greatest pride and contentment. In turn, the devotion these young women gave their dad through his challenging last year is testimony to a phenomenal life connection.
The last several years of John’s life were also a chance for him to enjoy for himself the gifts he was giving others. With Pat, he found beautiful love. Laughter, music, adventure, harmony, and comfort with one another moment-to-moment pervaded their experience. When these two became dance-partners-in-life, John’s light fully lit up. He very much wished for a longer time to experience this love—and keep giving to everyone around him.
For those who knew John through time, witnessing him arrive where he did was fabulous. He kept orienting toward spiritual and emotional wholeness, as if he knew something wonderful was possible. He kept becoming a more complete person and reflecting on how this felt. So, when his dancing life flowered, his friend-circle magnified, his daughters were flourishing, and great love entered his life, John knew what to do. Embrace all that joy and share it with others, vigorously. We are grateful for the gifts John gave us.