Born March 24th,1930 to Mary Margaret O'Connor, Emmett Twp., St.Clair County, Mich. Baptized into the Catholic Faith as Edward O'Connor, on April 22.1930 in Detroit, Mich. is at last back in his birth mother's arms. John was adopted, as an infant, by John Wm. and Elizabeth Edith (Cruse) Duane. They later gave birth to Thomas S. And Joann R. Duane who became John's siblings. Tom passed away in 2009 and was a retired Detroit Police Sargent. Joann survives. They were wonderful parents, and he loved them dearly.
He graduated from Precious Blood Elementary School and in 1947 from Detroit Catholic Central High School, both in Detroit. He served as an Altar Boy in his youth, and in adulthood, as Eucharistic Minister, Usher, and Lector at parishes in Detroit, Madison Hts., and Lake City, Mi., and Punta Gorda, Fl. The motto of the Basilian Priests at Catholic Central is to teach: Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge, and those virtues stuck with him all his life. He served on Parish Councils, and School Boards, Boy Scouts, and many other charitable organizations for years. He founded the Bishop Foley High School Dad's Club in 1965 and was their first president.
His marriage in 1950 to the love of his life,Ann Marie Archer, only child of Leland and Loretta (Conners) Archer, was rewarded with five beautiful children: John III (Anne), Mark (Linda), Suzanne (Chris Oselett/ Dominick Asaro), Martin (Molly), and Mary (Gary Misczak/ Kevin Louwers). They in turn have blessed him with 11 grandchildren: Matthew, Benjamin, David Duane; Stephen and Lauren Duane; Christopher (CJ), Brian, and Scott Oselett; Kayla Tiegs and Ellen Duane; and Megan Novell (Misczak). They have further blessed him with 10 great-grands.
His love of God and family carried him into many activities for the Church. He founded the Madison Heights Bishop Foley High School Dad's Club and laid out the athletic complex on the 20 acre campus and, with family, laid 6000 yards of sod on the first football field. He also served as their first school board financial lead.
His work life began at age 11 setting pins at the Palm Beach Bowling Alley (6 Mile & Meyers), then a bakers helper, an art gallery picture framer, and a shipping clerk for the National Biscuit Co. at age 17 where he met Ann. He attended Wayne University in Detroit and then began a 40 year career in Accounting and Financial Control at Chrysler Corp, starting at the Dodge Main Plant in Hamtramck. He retired in 1989 as Manager of Inventory Control for the Manufacturing Group, with responsibility for 42 plants in US & Canada.
In 1988 Ann cajoled him into trying to learn Western Style Square Dancing which became a passion. They danced at the A-2 level and were presidents of the Cadillac, Mi. Club and members of the Kriss Kross Club in Ft. Myers, Fl. and danced to over 200 different callers over the years. Wonderful friends were made throughout those dancing years that truly enhanced their retirement lives.
In 1989 they retired to their lake home at Lake City, Mich. but spent 30 winters at their homes in Punta Gorda & N. Ft. Myers, Fl. By 2017 they had sold both homes and moved to Marysville, Mi. to be closer to the kids in case they were needed for baby sitting, (that was the story he told).
In 1992, at age 62, he learned he was an adopted child and spent the rest of his days pursuing his genealogical history. His birth parents had passed away, but the rest of that birth family welcomed him with open arms and love. His DNA showed he was 85% Irish, which explained a lot of things about his younger life that were confirmed in his discovery years. All, pure joy.
Ann's "Johnny" will rest in the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Kenockee Twp., St. Clair County,Mi.
Gifts may be directed to Bishop Foley High Dad's Club.
