Obituary for John Clemens Van Perre
John Clemens Van Perre December 11, 1963 - November 13, 2019
With great big broken hearts we share that our brother, the love of our lives, the light in our world, the glue of our family, has passed to his Beautiful Reward from Alzheimer’s, a dreadful disease that is not uncommon with Down Syndrome. John lived the good life, reached his potential and spread the love. The baby of the family. He leaves a legacy of love, gentleness, humor Predeceased by his folks (thank God) Ivan (2000) and Connie (2017), all the Aunties and Uncles whom he really loved so much. Survived by siblings: I.J., Rob, Mary, nephew Van, nieces Kimrey and Tahni, great-nieces Averie and Brooklynn, and many sweet cousins on both the Van Perre and the Rooney sides of the family whom loved him to bits. There are broken hearts all around. John loved his whole extended family, friends, bowling, swimming, sports, competing, word search puzzles, TV and TV Guide, books, cooking, BBQ, camping, road trips, being co-pilot, dressing up, holidays, dancing, music, CDs, karaoke, theatre-attending and preforming, bike riding, birthdays-his and everyone else’s, photography, folding clothes, jokes, pens, flash lights and walking around in the dark with them, hook latch rugs, our pets, winning, sharing, trivia cards, trophies, mail, being Irish, ice cream-nightly, being home, going for a ride, Limitless heartfelt thanks for a lifetime of care to: Cousin Marta Schweitzer and her special bond with John Bill Klieves - brother, dear friend ,mentor Beverly Young – longtime girlfriend in the middle of his life Our neighbors, lovely and supportive, past and present: Hoffman family, Dowling family, Gaunt family, Merin family, Nunan family John’s caregivers: Carmen Malari, Veronica Gutierrez, Peter Dumaguing - keepers- all of them Doctor Kinsel, Nancy, Tracy, Betty – Years of loving care. ARC State Bowling, Team Fun Bunch, Gulianna Glasier and Don Carruth – probably the pleasure of his life with the tournaments, banquets, trophys and road trips. PARCA and trailblazer Flo Nelson( ) All John’s lifetime of special-education teachers and all special-education teachers everywhere, what a very special bunch you are! Surely you are angles, surely. Julie Gin at Golden Gate Regional Center, long time, dedicated, hardworking social worker – fulfilled John’s self-determination CA State Assemblyman Frank D Lanterman (1901-1981) and the brilliant humanity of his Lanterman Act with the modern idea of deinstitutionalization! creating the Regional Centers, rights, funding for services and day programs – no more shut-ins! We are out in the open and cared for! Community Gatepath and Staff, vocational day program 25+ years attendance. Training, punching in, paycheck, social, integration into community, beautiful staff Janet Pomeroy Center and Staff and Janet Pomeroy( ), recreational day program 4 years attendance, a most amazing place he found late in life, very much joy and love, beautiful staff Shriver Family Legacy: The Special Olympics A VERY BIG DEAL and the leagues of volunteers – you’ve meant the world to us Christine Irving Social Worker and San Francisco Family Caregiver Alliance – a ton of help Nurse Megan at Landmark – a remarkable individual, professional, devoted Cassandra Laterza Social Worker and Nurse Virginia Enrico at Aging and Adult Services – we are so lucky to have these two working together in our county. Loving, caring, resourceful professionals making s#*t happen. Nurse Eithne Doorley, Holly Barton- Social Worker and Grace Song- Spiritual Counselor of Hospice By the Bay. They held The Sacred Space and led us through. Gratitude and love The Alzheimer’s Association, and leaders Diane, Linda, Brina and the compassionate healing of the Magnolia support group. All the of nurses and social workers everywhere working together making magic All the countless people who have been there for John, known and unknown: trailblazers, donators, volunteers, lovers and dreamers, standup people, “do small things” people, you have made his life so much easier. It has taken a village and the village has rallied! The world is full of beautiful, helpful, loving people. Many, many thanks. See you in the Sweet By and By, Forever in our hearts, Our blessing Our love Our brother Our John, thank you for the blessing of your beautiful nature and the gift of your joyful life. Oh Johny Boy the pipes, the pipes are calling…. Oh Johny Boy, Oh Johny Boy we love you so Memorial Mass December 11 2019, 10am Saint Veronica Church SSF. His Birthday!
With great big broken hearts we share that our brother, the love of our lives, the light in our world, the glue of our family, has passed to his Beautiful Reward from Alzheimer’s, a dreadful disease that is not uncommon with Down Syndrome. John lived the good life, reached his potential and spread the love. The baby of the family. He leaves a legacy of love, gentleness, humor Predeceased by his folks (thank God) Ivan (2000) and Connie (2017), all the Aunties and Uncles whom he really loved so much. Survived by siblings: I.J., Rob, Mary, nephew Van, nieces Kimrey and Tahni, great-nieces Averie and Brooklynn, and many sweet cousins on both the Van Perre and the Rooney sides of the family whom loved him to bits. There are broken hearts all around. John loved his whole extended family, friends, bowling, swimming, sports, competing, word search puzzles, TV and TV Guide, books, cooking, BBQ, camping, road trips, being co-pilot, dressing up, holidays, dancing, music, CDs, karaoke, theatre-attending and preforming, bike riding, birthdays-his and everyone else’s, photography, folding clothes, jokes, pens, flash lights and walking around in the dark with them, hook latch rugs, our pets, winning, sharing, trivia cards, trophies, mail, being Irish, ice cream-nightly, being home, going for a ride, Limitless heartfelt thanks for a lifetime of care to: Cousin Marta Schweitzer and her special bond with John Bill Klieves - brother, dear friend ,mentor Beverly Young – longtime girlfriend in the middle of his life Our neighbors, lovely and supportive, past and present: Hoffman family, Dowling family, Gaunt family, Merin family, Nunan family John’s caregivers: Carmen Malari, Veronica Gutierrez, Peter Dumaguing - keepers- all of them Doctor Kinsel, Nancy, Tracy, Betty – Years of loving care. ARC State Bowling, Team Fun Bunch, Gulianna Glasier and Don Carruth – probably the pleasure of his life with the tournaments, banquets, trophys and road trips. PARCA and trailblazer Flo Nelson( ) All John’s lifetime of special-education teachers and all special-education teachers everywhere, what a very special bunch you are! Surely you are angles, surely. Julie Gin at Golden Gate Regional Center, long time, dedicated, hardworking social worker – fulfilled John’s self-determination CA State Assemblyman Frank D Lanterman (1901-1981) and the brilliant humanity of his Lanterman Act with the modern idea of deinstitutionalization! creating the Regional Centers, rights, funding for services and day programs – no more shut-ins! We are out in the open and cared for! Community Gatepath and Staff, vocational day program 25+ years attendance. Training, punching in, paycheck, social, integration into community, beautiful staff Janet Pomeroy Center and Staff and Janet Pomeroy( ), recreational day program 4 years attendance, a most amazing place he found late in life, very much joy and love, beautiful staff Shriver Family Legacy: The Special Olympics A VERY BIG DEAL and the leagues of volunteers – you’ve meant the world to us Christine Irving Social Worker and San Francisco Family Caregiver Alliance – a ton of help Nurse Megan at Landmark – a remarkable individual, professional, devoted Cassandra Laterza Social Worker and Nurse Virginia Enrico at Aging and Adult Services – we are so lucky to have these two working together in our county. Loving, caring, resourceful professionals making s#*t happen. Nurse Eithne Doorley, Holly Barton- Social Worker and Grace Song- Spiritual Counselor of Hospice By the Bay. They held The Sacred Space and led us through. Gratitude and love The Alzheimer’s Association, and leaders Diane, Linda, Brina and the compassionate healing of the Magnolia support group. All the of nurses and social workers everywhere working together making magic All the countless people who have been there for John, known and unknown: trailblazers, donators, volunteers, lovers and dreamers, standup people, “do small things” people, you have made his life so much easier. It has taken a village and the village has rallied! The world is full of beautiful, helpful, loving people. Many, many thanks. See you in the Sweet By and By, Forever in our hearts, Our blessing Our love Our brother Our John, thank you for the blessing of your beautiful nature and the gift of your joyful life. Oh Johny Boy the pipes, the pipes are calling…. Oh Johny Boy, Oh Johny Boy we love you so Memorial Mass December 11 2019, 10am Saint Veronica Church SSF. His Birthday!