John P. Streeter

John Streeter was a man as lovable as he was loving, as brilliant as he was thoughtful, as generous as he was genuine. He was the rarest of men, who possessed equal amounts of intellect and integrity, of character and charisma. John was many things, but above all, he was a beloved family man and friend, who enriched our lives just by knowing him.

John’s story began on a cold winter day in 1946, in the bustling city of Plainfield, New Jersey, not too far from the Big Apple. Those were such exciting times in this country, as thousands of our brave soldiers returned home victorious from World War II, ready to claim their share of the American Dream. The Baby Boomer generation had begun. And on December 12, 1946, Earl and Vera (McNees) Streeter had a baby boom of their own, with the birth of a boy, a son they named John.

John was the couple’s second child, joining his big sister Nancy in the family’s home. His mother was a loving homemaker, and his father was the superintendent of materials for General Motors, a very demanding job. Still, they found time to be a family when John was growing up. They rented a little cottage on the Jersey shore in the summertime, and John’s dad would join them on the weekends after his work was done. John loved those summers, forming a lifelong love for the beach, where he spent his days digging for crabs and roaming the boardwalk.

When he was six years old, his dad was transferred to Kansas City for a brief time, and eventually to Metro Detroit, where the family put down roots on Vernon Street in the lovely little suburb of Huntington Woods.

John attended Burton Elementary as a little boy, and later Berkley High School. He was a very bright young man, a good student as well as a talented athlete. John was the captain of the Bears’ basketball team (wearing No. 22), and also played tennis and bowled, two lifelong pursuits for him.

John also found a high school sweetheart named Linda Holmgren, whom he met in his junior year and began dating. They continued dating after he graduated in 1964 and headed off to Michigan State University, where he studied for his packaging engineering degree. He also joined the Psi Upsilon fraternity at State, and loyally followed the Spartan sports teams.

In 1968, he and Linda were married, in Gethsemane Lutheran Church. The couple stayed in East Lansing for a year, until John got his degree. Diploma in hand, the couple moved back to Huntington Woods, to a home on Ludlow Street, one street away from where he grew up, and where they started their family.

John and Linda were blessed with three beautiful girls, Jennifer, Laura and Julie, who made John so happy and proud. John was such a wonderful father, so generous, patient and caring for his girls.

He was an excellent provider, as well, and found a job with General Motors right out of college, just like his dad. John worked for GM for a decade, before heading over to Ford, designing seats, trim and car interiors at the company’s Dearborn office. John was a tireless worker, and brought the same energy and passion to his work that he exhibited in all other facets of his life.

John was a man of many passions, of course, the way most brilliant men are. He was quite an athlete all his life, and loved to golf (and had Rackham Golf Course practically in his backyard), loved to bowl, and to play tennis, too. He loved boating, and enjoyed piloting his pontoon boat around Lake Isabella where they had a cottage, soaking up the sun on hot summer days. He loved the beach, he loved traveling, and he loved dancing.

John was a collector of many things, as well, including rare coins, comic books (a hobby formed in his youth), and all kinds of computers, of which he always had to have the latest and greatest. He was the kind of guy who could fix anything, too, and kept his prized, white 1976 Corvette running in tip-top shape.

Of course, John didn’t stop there. He was also a member of the Men’s Club of Huntington Woods, where he did social and community service for the place he called home. He was loyal to his beloved Spartans his whole life, too, and was a season-ticket holder to the football games, where he loved tailgating on sunny fall Saturdays. John was also a true animal lover, especially his three dogs, Murphy, Libby and Katie.

John’s marriage to Linda ended after 22 years, but he wasn’t meant to be alone for long. Some friends introduced him to a wonderful woman named Loretta Farrugia, and the attraction was instant and powerful for the both of them. They quickly became a couple, and were married on February 18, 1995, in a civil ceremony, beginning many happy years together. The couple settled into a beautiful home in Novi, where he would spend the rest of his days.

John loved his wife so dearly, and was a very caring, romantic husband. He remained a wonderful father to his girls, as well, and called each of them weekly to see how they were doing. When his grandkids arrived, John couldn’t have been prouder, and over the years they spent many great days at his cottage, where he’d pull them around the lake for some tubing fun together. Christmastime was always John’s favorite, and the sky was the limit when it came to giving gifts.

Sadly, John was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2007, and though he fought the disease bravely, he died on September 26, 2007, at his home, at the age of 60.

John was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family, friends, and fond memories. John was the rarest of men, so generous and genuine, so caring and compassionate, with a quick wit and a level head. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, but more than anything, John was a man you were proud to say you knew. He will be so greatly missed.

Beloved husband of Loretta, dear father of Jennifer (Tony) Westley of Loveland, OH, Laura (Tim) Reznich of Frankfort, MI and Julie (Jay) Jenkins of Waxhaw, NC, step-father of Paul Bertin, loving grandpa of seven grandchildren; dear brother of Nancy (Bill) Drury of Atlanta, GA. Learn more about John, view his Life Story Film and visit with his family and friends Saturday from 5-8 PM and Sunday from 2-8 PM at the McCabe Funeral Home 31950 West 12 Mile Rd Farmington Hills where a service to honor his life will be held Monday at 11 AM. Interment Glen Eden Cemetery. Please visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his Life Story, share a favorite memory or photo, sign the guest book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to St. Joseph Mercy Hospice, MD Anderson Cancer Care Center or the Michigan Humane Society.