John Francis Conforte Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

John Conforte, age 93 passed away Saturday, November 29, 2014 at his home in Canadian Lakes surrounded by family. He was born in New York City in 1921. He graduated from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Economics at Adelphi University on Land Island. John and his wife had been active at Canadian Lakes for many years until her untimely death from an automobile accident in 2004. He had been a member of the Canadian Lakes Association Board and was Director of Tennis, running the various tournaments. John was an avid golfer and during his later years gave up tennis for Pickle Ball, which he found as an adequate replacement. He was also active in outside community affairs as a board member of the Walton-Erickson Library, as well as, a member of God’s Helping Hands pantry finance board. John was a Trustee of the Austin Township Board and quite active in politics as a member of the Mecosta County Republican club, the Canadian Lakes Republican club and was a precinct delegate. John taught as a substitute teacher in four local high schools, Big Rapids Middle School and the adult education classes in Lakeview for four years. He served in the Marine Corps during WWII. After occupation duty in Japan, he joined the International Dairy Company of California in Yokohama. While in Japan, he met and married his wife, Ann Marie. She was there attached to the 5th Air Force as part of an organization that replaced the Red Cross that had been working with the service men in occupied Japan. After returning to the United States, John joined the Overseas Division of General Motors. He served in South America and Europe in both sales and finance, retiring after 33 years with GM. John is survived by three sons, Jeffrey, Julian, and Christopher; one daughter, Christine Wissmann; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM with visitation from 1:00 PM to the time of the service. The family will greet friends on Friday, December 5th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Hansen Janowicz Funeral Home in Remus with a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, those desiring my direct memorial contributions to God’s Helping Hands. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.

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John Francis Conforte

October 9, 1921 - November 29, 2014