Il sera interrompue, bon bye et repose en paix Monsieur Tempia

John Tempia made a difference in my life, and I treasure my memories of him.

He was a very kind and funny person. I never had him as a teacher but he always greeted me in the hall as I passed through his area. I looked forward to seeing him.

My thoughts and prayers are with JET's family at this time. Though I have never met any of of you, please be encouraged to know that John was well loved by me and many of his former students. I was French Club President at Davison High School during the 1973-1974 school year and worked closely with Mr. Tempia planning various club events and also a trip to Paris in the spring of 1973. We had many good teachers at Davison High, but Mr. Tempia was exceptional. He taught with a sense of humor which helped create a lighter atmosphere in the classroom--one that was more conducive to learning. Not only did John teach the French language, but he also helped us understand French culture. I remember complaining to him about the miles he had us walk while we were sight seeing in Paris. "How do you expect to see, feel and experience this city and its people from beneath the ground, riding the metro?" he asked. Though our feet grew tired, we knew he wanted us to experience as much of Paris as possible during our brief visit. When some of us misbehaved while away from parental supervision, Mr. Tempia gently reeled us back in to do the right thing. I have visited France many times since that 1973 trip and I've often used the language in French speaking countries. I'll be forever grateful and appreciative to JET. And...Mr. Tempia, you were right-- we should have taken the train to visit Chartre! Thanks for not only teaching me French, but also for helping me to learn about myself and life. Thanks for your friendship...I pray we will meet once again.

Today we attended John's memorial and enjoyed talking with his sisters and niece. We knew he was a good French teacher.  However, we did not realize the extent of his compassion for others and his volunteer work for the City of Flint.  It was enjoyable talking with so many of our former colleagues.

I have never experienced  teacher like John Tempia--neither in High School, College, nor graduate school.  My quirky memories are far too many to relate here, but I will never forget the way he managed to be absolutely uncompromising, personal--and funny enough to host Saturday Night Live. One of my personal favorites (I must have been misbehaving) was "Fulcher!  I can't help it that you're having your Freshman year 3 years too late!"  But most importantly, John Tempia put me on the road to France, where I ultimately spent my Junior year of college, an experience that truly changed me as a person, and resulted in some of the most important friendships of my life (2 years ago, I returned to sing at the wedding of the baby born to my host family during my stay 27 years ago!) I will never forget you, Mr. Tempia--you were a tremendous educator--truly one of a kind,

-Betsy Fulcher, Davison, MI; Montpellier, France;New York, NY

Mr. Tempia was my French Teacher for 2 years he made class interesrting and a pleasure with his unique sense of humor. R.I.P. Jet


Debra LaValley-Gulick

Mr. Tempia was my French teacher from 1982 until 1984 afterwhich he was my guide in Paris during the summer of 1984.  His guidance helped shape my future in which linguistics (sorry Mr. Tempia it was only partially French) plays a big role.  He is one of the people I remember most from my days in high school.  My condolences to his family and friends.

John Paris  Seoul, Korea/ Clio, MI

My brother and I had the pleasure of being his students from 83' to 91' and as  French-Canadians he taught us about many things. He was very passionate about his class and his love of France. Vous serez toujour dans nous pensee, dieu soit avec vous. Ours condolences to the family.

Les Rivard (Patrick & Nadia)

Our sons, Gregg and Todd Neitzke, both now deceased, each spent 4 years of French class with Mr. Tempia, their favorite teacher.  He was an important part of their Davison High School years and was a very caring and inspiring teacher.  He was a welcome guest at both of their graduation Open Houses.  We're so sorry to hear of his untimely death.  Our deepest sympathy to his friends and family.  Harold and Jeanne Neitzke

I so enjoyed Mr. Tempia's sense of humor in the classroom. He made learning French fun and one of my favorite classes. I'll never forget how he'd pretend to smoke the chalk and how he gave me the nickname of Elanore Willi (real name Lori Williams). He was one of a kind in his teaching skills! I will miss him. -- God Bless

I do believe I have the bragging rights to say "I was Johns first girlfriend".  Well, maybe he didn't think of me that way, but I sure thought he was someone special.  He was my best friends great looking brother.  He was also my friend.  We grew up together on Canyon Avenue, way back when telephone numbers started with letters.  I was fortunate to be invited on tent camping outings with his family.  We loved sleeping in a tent on the ground in the rain. Remembering lot "41" still makes me smile.  I will always remember John as a devoted son, loving brother, respected friend, grand teacher and a level headed decision maker.  I know this because I have known John for over fifty years.
     I envision Johns parents and Doc at the pearly gates loudly and joyfully saying "Johnny is coming","Johnny is coming"

I went to grade school with John...went to high school with John.  He was a talented artist....I always remembered his charcoal drawing of St. Francis of Assisi....and now I am a Franciscan.  We will be having our 50th year reunion of Notre Dame Grads at Notre Dame Prep August 16th...I am one of many in the planning and can promise you that he will be remembered both with photos and our prayers.
                Jerry Alderman OFS '62

I would occasionally jog with Mr. Tempia after school. It was a time I will always remember. He would tell those of us jogging with him all sorts of stories and jokes. I always thought of him as someone who was a good friend who just happened to be my teacher. I wish all students could have a Mr. Tempia in their lives.

Like so many others here, I knew Mr. Tempia as my high school French teacher, in my case 1979-1983.  I have so many memories of his unique, wacky teaching style.  Mr. Tempia believed that to help students remember the material, it had to be memorable.  And was it ever.  I still remember "Final consonants in French are not pronounced except c, r, f, and l.", "Ne after the subject, Pas after the verb.", "brouuuuuillard", and so much more.  Thank you, Mr. Tempia.

M. Tempia was a fantastic teacher who cared greatly for his students.  I and 3 siblings were fortunate enough to have been among those students.  I have thought of him often while travelling in Europe, and had hoped to get in touch with him on my trip home to Michigan.  My sympathies go out to his family and his friends, and my gratitude to those who have shared their memories and in turn refreshed mine (Jacques Brel LP's, "vais-vas-va, allons-allez-vont", chalk cigarettes, jog, and the famous foot long flying eraser).  Adieu, Monsieur.

I was in Mr Tempia's class for 3 years and remember the night he took a freshman to get more supplies for the French Club float. When I remarked 'Wow a sunroof' in his Peugeot.  He said Non, a moon roof.  I will miss his wit.  He'd be surprised that I married a girl in class he dubbed Mona... I always wanted to share that with him.

I have thought of "Jet" many times through the years.  He was so much fun and a great teacher.  He will be missed.  Lisabeth Amidon Christensen (Whitmore Lake, MI)

A very good man. Look in on the frederick family.. Made a great roast dinner. An honor to know him.

I remember meeting Mr.Tempia on my first day in  his French class as a DHS freshman. He must have been just 7 or 8 years older than I at the time. I thought he was suave but intimidating.

He was a great teacher who shared his love of all things French with us...he seemed so worldly to me back then..going to Paris! Now that I have been to that great city multiple times, I know just what he was talking to us about....and every time I go to Paris I wish I had paid more attention to him in class.......

I was so sad to learn of Mr. Tempia's death at such a young age.  The first day of my freshman year he spent 15 minutes standing on his desk pantomiming in the most absurd ways trying to get us to understand what "papier de toilet" was.  I thought he taught me French, but after I started teaching I realized what he really taught me was to not take myself to seriously and to make my classroom a fun place where it is okay for the teacher to be entertaining.  As an adult I have often wondered what it was like for him to be in such a conservative community.  I will always remember him smoking his chalk and singing conjugations.  How lucky I was to have him for a teacher.

John was my French teacher in the late sixties.  I remember the wonderful stories he told of his summers in France. I later taught English at DHS and we became colleagues.  I will miss his wry, ironic humor.

Mr. Tempia was one of those teachers that forever stick out in a student's memory because he taught and thought outside the box.  I will never forget his crisp apron and the towel over his arm as he was our "Garcon" the day we made crepes in class, the "smoking" of his chalk and the chants of "if you can say it you can spell it - if you can spell it you can say it" and "suis-es-est-sommes-etes-sont".  His class was always about more than learning a language.  I am sure when the Lord called him home he raised his hand and called out "Ici!"
Thanks, Mr. Tempia for such wonderful memories!

Mr. Tempia was a great teacher with such charisma! I truly believe he is in heaven right now, smoking his chalk and calling for the angels to "Repetez s'il vous plait!

Mr Tempia was great man who really understood his students and thier problems. We had alot of great teachers in Davison and for me Mr Tempia really stood out! A true example of kindness compassion 
and caring! My thoughts and prayers for his family.

John was a neighbor, but more importantly, a friend to the Frederick family for years.  He was the Best Man at our wedding 28 years ago.  He was such a help to the family after my father-in-law died, always checking in on my mother-in-law.  There aren't words that can truly describe what his love and friendship meant to our family.  You will be missed John!

Monsieur Tempia was one of those rare individuals that you feel fortunate to have crossed paths with in life.  I was one of his students at Davison HS, starting in 1975.  I took two years of French with him and another semester of French Literature.  He was a great, enthusiastic teacher who opened up the doors to the world to his students... Paris, Jean Paul Sartre, Camus, La Petit Prince, Andre Malreux, Edith Piaf.... so many wonderful things he was so passionate about and that were all things French.  I  have thought of him many times over the years after I left his lively classroom and regret that I never contacted him to thank him for being such a great teacher and for taking me under his wing after my father passed away during my freshman year.  He cared about his students and their opportunities to grow as young people.  I will always be grateful to him for that and for exposing me to the French language and culture.  I've had the opportunity to visit Paris a few times and thanks to Mr. Tempia, I managed to navigate the city and language quite well!  Merci beaucoup, Monsieur!!!!

Like many others, he was my favorite teacher, too.  Three years of French.  He saw the spark and fueled it., introducing me to the works of French existential writers...in French, of course.  The world has lost a brilliant, caring man.  Take comfort in knowing he made a huge difference in my life.

My thoughts and prayers to the family of Mr. Tempia. I remember him well from Davison High School. I was in the graduating class of 1975. He was a great teacher as well as man. He will be sadly missed.
Pam Thorpe Rowe
Venice, Florida

He was the first teacher that treated me not just like a student, but as a friend.   I remember him introducing me to Camus and Sartre.  He was a wonderful mentor and a great person.  I will always have fond memories of his class and role in my formative years.  He will be sorely missed.

I had the honor of being taught french by Mr. John Tempia. He was a tough teacher, but that's because he cared. He didn't give up on his students. He made learning about France very interesting. I still am called by the nickname he gave me....May he rest in peace. Prayers for family and friends.

Teaching with John at DHS was exciting.  He always had a jovial personality with a thoughtful opinion for every decision we had to make as a staff. While in Paris one summer John generously showed us the sights of the city.  Please accept my sincere condolences.

It was a pleasure to teach with John at DHS. His sense of humor made his classroom and the school a great place to be. My condolences to his family. 
 Joani Shears Grand Blanc

John Tempia was my favorite High School teacher.  After 4 years of French I was filled with the desire to visit Europe.  I was able to host a French High School Student 20 years ago and given the opportunity to visit France after that.  It changed my life and opened my eyes to another culture.  I send my condolences to friends and family.  Taken too soon.  Sincerely.

Some of the lessons that I remember most from Mr. Tempia's class had nothing to do with the French language.  He had such a good sense of humor and was truly a class act.  My condolences to his friends and family.

I taught with John for many years. He was a great teacher and very well liked by students and staff.  He had a great personality and a great sense of humor. My condolences to his family.

(En français, s'il vous plaît) 

M. Tempia était l'un de mes favorit les enseignants. Prières de paix et de confort pour sa famille et ses amis.

Mr. Tempia's way of opening up another culture and language to students was both fun and profound.  He was a master at his craft, and his impact on the course of my life is very much appreciated.  My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. Tempia was a wonderful teacher! I look back on my years at DHS fondly because of the two years in his french class. My condolences and prayers to his loved ones.

Dear Mr. Tempia: you were a great teacher and one that left a lasting impression on my life.  You were there to listen to me with all the teenage struggles.  You genuinely cared about your students.  Thank you!  You even proofread my book after I read it.  Even after 3 years of Grench I have to admit I only still remember the swear words.  RIP Mr. Tempia.  You were one of the great ones!!

My condolences to John Tempia's family and friends.. Mr.Tempia had a special gift and love for teaching.. The students at Davison will always be grateful...R.I.P. Mr.Tempia

I had "Jet" as we fondly called him his first year of teaching at Davison. Had french for 2 years. We have remained good friends all these years. He will be missed by many of us!  God be with John's family. We will never forget his caring, love and friendship!

RIP, Mr. Tempia
I was in French class 1969-1970 and really enjoyed Mr. Tempia's class. 
A great teacher!

Mr. Tempia was my French teacher back in 1969 at Davison High School.  He made France come alive in class.  May the peace of Christ be with your family at this time.

Wonderful teacher, wonderful memories. He will be missed.

John Tempia was a fantastic French professor. I had some of his students when I taught French at Mott College.Davison High School had a great teacher and human being. John also belonged to my Tri-county Foreign Lang. Assn. I extend my condolences.  Prof. emeritus Frank Friedman,flint,Mi.

I had Mr. Tempia for French until I graduated in 1986.  So many fond memories of his class, and even more of him.  Unique is an understatement when describing him.  My sister, Becky, went to Paris with him on a school trip in the mid-70's, and had a most informative time.  He helped shape both of us. When I needed a college recommendation, he was quick to give it. He will be missed.  So sorry for your loss.  May he rest in peace, and may his family and friends find peace and comfort.  A candle will be lit, and a prayer said.

Racheal Dishner Downes

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John E. Tempia

11 août 1944 – 27 juillet 2012

Brown Funeral Home

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