John Anthony Janis

Just came upon the notice from July 2018, and want to share my condolences to the Janis family. John, Sheree, and Kadie Duggan

Shared by sheree duggan on 4/7/2019 1:03 AM

Just last week Fenwick sent word that John had died. John and I were classmates and casual friends while at school. We were both scouts, but John was a REAL scout--the kind of guy who made the organization great for the schlubs like me. For that reason, he was something of a hero to me, just like the guys who are top athletes are heroes to lesser players on other teams. I can't remember if it was the summer of our junior year at Fenwick, or the summer after we graduated, but one early June day he called me and said he needed someone to fill in for him for a few weeks volunteering at Owasippe. Though I wished I could do it (and still do), I had to say no. But I always told myself I was going to make sure John knew how much it meant to me that he asked. Imagine Babe Ruth walking to the end of the bench and saying, "Hey, can you pinch hit for me?" and you'll know what it felt like. I swore I'd let him know how much I regretted saying no, and how flattered I was to have been considered worthy of filling his shoes at a place that I loved. The next time I see him at a football game, or at Johnnies on North Avenue, I'll tell him. That's what I told myself. For decades. When you're 17 years old, the world stretches in front of you to an endless horizon. You think places like Owasippe will always be there, and guys like John are always just around the next corner. News of his death therefore affected me more than it might have, given our casual, 30+ years-ago acquaintance. One of my great regrets is that I never got the chance to thank John. Another is that I didn't take advantage of the chance to spend the summer in his place at Wolverine South--as close to heaven as I knew as a boy. As late as it is, I'm not sure anyone will ever read this note of condolence. But if you do, please pass it along to Bill and John's children. John was a class act and I am proud he thought of me as a peer that summer. Go Cubs, go. John, save me a seat near Steve Goodman. I'll buy the frosty malts. Paul Jenkins Fenwick '81

Shared by paul jenkins on 9/24/2018 6:32 PM

Our hearts are aching for you and your family. You wrote a beautiful obituary Bill!

Shared by rives and craig trigoboff on 7/29/2018 5:27 PM

Madeline, Tim, Trevor and family, I just heard the heartbreaking news from Jim Connelly and can’t believe that your Dad I’d gone. I had the pleasure and honor of working with him at Camp Robert Crown (Mohave!) where he helped me put Jim’s car into neutral, roll it into the staff lodge and put a tablecloth and place settings on it for breakfast one morning, for Jim to find when he came into breakfast that morning! One of the greatest staff pranks ever! No damage was done to the car of course! Your Dad was a kind, funny, smart and sweet man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. I’ve been thinking about my days on Owasippe Staff more recently because my son Peter just finished his second Summer as a CIT there. Just wanted you to know that I will keep you all and your Dad in my prayers. Peter Foote Life Member, Owasippe Staff Association

Shared by peter james foote on 7/26/2018 2:48 PM

Dear Bill and family, Please know that Doug and I send heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your brother. He sounds like an amazing man who brought so much joy and love to so many people! You all will remain in our prayers during this time. All our love, Sally and Doug

Shared by sally and doug nail on 7/25/2018 10:20 PM