FROM: HARVEY LEVENSON
The injustice of life has taken my brother-in-law, who I prefer calling "my brother." At age 9, John was the Best Man at my marriage to his sister, Barbara. When John started college, he lived with us in Pittsburgh. We had a connection: a respect for diversity – inclusivity – social justice. We had progressive values, believing in gender equity and equality for all. We also had a "digital connection." When the world was still analog, John and I were already digital. We were mutually supportive, personally and professionally. People like John are not supposed to die prematurely. The worst of 2018 will be everlasting with John’s untimely passing.
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FROM: BARBARA LEVENSON
Nobody made me laugh as much and as often as my brother, John. His wit came as a result of his acute insight into humanity and the many ways in which we set ourselves up for getting skewered. I really enjoyed the exchange of quips and “inside” jokes that we had. When John and Harvey were together, one outdid the other with verbal repartee.
John’s generosity and kindness were notable at “Chez Oui” where mani-pedis, martinis and more were offered, with the advice: “If you have to choose, choose BOTH.” John went all out to offer me experiences at concerts, dance performances, art exhibits and movies not available where I lived. We had the opportunity to get together in the several years I was active in my Union, which met in San Francisco and other Bay Area locations.
One more recent memory I have of John took place during the time that our Mom was recuperating from surgery at a skilled nursing facility. We went to shop for slip-on shoes for her, and were delighted to find a pair – cranberry-colored patent leather – promptly dubbed her “ruby slippers.” She was so pleased and amazed to receive them. After Mom’s death a few months later, John was adamant that they get buried with her remains, and he made it happen. John was a loving son, brother, cousin, uncle, husband and friend – we all share this loss.
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FROM: RUTH KLINE
As an older sister, I would hope that I played a role in John’s sharp and sassy wit. In a role of “babysitter” I used drops of Tabasco sauce on his tongue if he misbehaved. Forgive me! So many comments shared by friends to describe John have been so on point: “gracious”, “considerate”, “committed to friends, family and causes.” He made a difference and made me a better person. John brought the world to me through his travels. There are a couple of quotes that I’ve had posted on my bulletin board for years that remind me of John.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
Plato
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I love you, John
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FROM: JUDY RENNER
Most of my memories of John were from when we were children and my many sibling'd family invaded poor Aunt Anne and Uncle Tony's home for visits. John and I played a lot together. Sadly, I lost connection as we grew older but I know I would have loved him even more from what I am reading of his life. Rest in peace my cousin.
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FROM: ROSEMARY NETT
John was born in 1961, our son Mark was born in 1965, four years apart. Anne Renner, my Aunt, sent John's gently used clothes to us from time to time. I remember a collared sweater that Mark wore proudly. I have a friend who painted oil portraits of our four children. Mark is wearing the sweater from John.
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FROM: PAUL PERROTTA
I have nothing but wonderful memories of John. We met in college and grew into adulthood together. We went places together (vacations, shopping, drinks) and we shared our successes and challenges. While I'm sorry that he's gone, I'm happy to have had him in my life for so long. I'm a better person for having known him.
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FROM: TROI ANDERSON
Still left with the empty sense of a surprise you did not want. I had spoken with John just weeks before. And he seemed, at least to me, both happy and with an almost strange sense of peace and calm. Perhaps John always had this, but it was acute in our conversation. So much so I later remarked upon it. In some way, maybe John knew of things to come. You wonder what leads you in this world or what paths may already be created for you? Impossible to know, but I truly regret losing a friendship that had just begun. John was incredibly generous in helping my work as a photographic artist. This generosity was a hallmark of the man. The portfolio of my documentary work from Iraq in 2017 will always be dedicated to you, my friend. Like so many others, I wish we could have had one last drink together. For anyone that would like to see some of the work that John helped produce, please visit my website: www.troianderson.com and see the portfolio; "Rite of Spring". Miss you friend. Forever thanks.
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FROM: ANN THAM-PEARSON
To all those who love and miss John, I hope that the memory of his smile, and the twinkle in his eyes will comfort you, until you meet again. I hope the memory of his jokes will make you laugh, even when you feel like crying in the void he left behind. For those who will gather at family functions, including the upcoming weddings and all the Thanksgiving gatherings, I have a strong feeling that John will be with you. He would want you all to live life to the fullest, the way he did.
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FROM: KEN AND LESLIE LUNDGREN
Thank you Barbara for sharing this beautiful tribute to your brother John. He accomplished so much, had the greatest smile and enjoyed so many wonderful adventures! The many family photos and pictures of his memorial celebration of his life and the scattering of his ashes brought tears. Damien did a fine job with his drone video showing just how beautiful those hills are. The martini glass was such a special and unexpected touch. I bet John was smiling at that from above. Love and Hugs Barbara and Harvey. It is our hope that the many happy memories shared by all who knew John will bring some comfort at this sad time. With our deepest sympathy.
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FROM: THOMAS LANE
“Hi Love.” Those were the first words I heard in the morning or when answering the door. John was my love and I was his. How lucky we were to find each other when we were both in dark places. Both looking to leave Palm Springs, John losing his friend and me losing my sister to suicide. Both blessed with life. Both tired of going at it alone. John had so many gifts, talents, interests and above all a heart of pure gold. At his memorial I was able to get a glimpse of the hundreds of friends, family and acquaintances who John knew and touched. Of those, I’m probably the one who knew him for the shortest period of time, but I was privileged to know him at the deepest level two people can know and share. He trusted me and allowed me into his life and I happily reciprocated by letting him into mine. John was always busy, except for taking his daily nap and sleeping until 9AM. The man could sleep … and snore, OY! Although gifts to him, the white-noise maker and wax earplugs were really for me. We went through a period of trying to find the perfect pet-name for each other. We finally settled on Jig and Buzz. I was Jig because I love doing jigsaw puzzles; something John had zero patience for; and he was Buzz because he snored like a buzzsaw. Almost every morning he’d apologize for snoring. I assured him that if that was the only “problem” we had, we’d do just fine. John had a wicked sense of humor that I so appreciated. He told me if we ever got in a fight he would make me cry. Not once did we fight. If only he were here to make that happen. I think I introduced John to watching TV and doing nothing. He was always so scheduled. We both had lots of friends to do lots of things with, but I needed someone to do nothing with. We enjoyed doing nothing. We binged "Game of Thrones" from Season 1 all the way through the end of Season 7. He couldn’t get enough and speculated on Season 8. He always guessed correctly on how an episode would end. He was so damn intelligent on so many levels. There were few surprises. "Killing Eve", "Taboo" and "Ari Melber" on MSNBC were others he looked forward to. He indulged me and my fascination with "Judge Judy". I introduced John to playing cards. "Spite and Malice" was our game. If for no other reason but its name, he loved it and it became a favorite pastime for us at home, in hotels, on the cruise and especially layovers in airports. He was better at it than I and often reminded me that the Student had become the Master. He had an endless supply of come-backs and jabs. I one-upped him infrequently. Only his life-long friend, Paul, had that ability. Anyone who knew John knew his love for photography and the male physique. He certainly had his own that he worked hard for and adorned exquisitely, bar none. I was always so proud to be seen with such a handsome man. One of the greatest insights I had to this was when I had friends, David and Bentley, visiting from Scottsdale, AZ. Bentley is an art dealer and collector of Pre Columbian textiles. She and John hit it off immediately and John came to life as he showed her his collection. They both knew names, dates, styles, imaging, framing, on and on. His eyes were wide with life. He was so proud of his achievement and couldn’t stop talking as he pointed out the minutest of details and the casting of light in each piece. He was a kid in a candy store, filled with excitement. It was then that I got to see and understood his knowledge, his passion and his devotion to his collection. Funny, as time goes by and specific days pass, I look back at what we were doing a year ago. This week we were in Hawaii for John’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Love. A birthday adventure he enthusiastically relived to everyone who knew him. Again, his eyes would light up as he retold the story of the volcano, the rainy night hike through the jungle and up the mountain to see the lava flow, well beyond public access. On the way back our guide lost us and we were left to find the truck on our own. Fortunately we were both heavily equipped with a 1-inch LED glitter light we found at a 7-11 the day before. That was the most frightened I’d ever seen him. On that trip we touched every furthermost point of the Big Island; north, south, east and west. The Jeep took us off-road everywhere and to unknown destinations. It was a true adventure for John because he was always so planned and organized (other than his house). The trip ended with us being evacuated at 1:10AM as the lava was on the move. It was thrilling to listen and watch him tell the story. How lucky was I to be there with him. I have so many memories of the short 13 months we shared. John Renner was the finest man I’ve ever known. I love you and miss you, John. I miss your heart, your humor, your love, your honesty. I miss your touch and your scent. You once looked me in the eyes and told me, “Tom, you get me.” John, you get me. My life is not the same without you, but know that I’m just around the corner. I’ll see you soon and once again hear your words, “Hi love”.