John Francis Blondin, age 83, was born in Saginaw, Michigan on Aug. 24, 1936 and joined the ranks of heaven on Aug. 17, 2020. A man of deep faith, John began each morning praying. If you knew John, and if you ever faced a struggle, most assuredly you made his list of people he prayed for each day.

John grew up in Saginaw and was the first-born child to Nita (Shaffer) and Francis "Frank" Blondin. He was the eldest brother to Delbert and James, and sisters Pamela and Kathleen. The family lost baby sister Nita Katherine, affectionately called "Tootsie," as an infant.

After graduating St. Mary's high school, John attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids where he played basketball and earned his history degree. Here he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Sloan. John nearly thwarted their first date when he sent his buddy to pick her up instead of him, because he wanted to arrive earlier to watch the J.V. game. But thanks to John scoring a game-high 22 points later that night, Mary Ellen forgave him. Thus, their love story began.

They married on Aug. 16, 1958. Daughter Maureen arrived the following year, while he earned a Master's Degree in Education from Michigan State University. After the arrival of second daughter Michele, the family moved to Detroit where John taught at Austin Catholic Preparatory. In 1963 his mentor and friend, Chuck Hollosy, became the athletic director at Grosse Pointe South, and offered John the opportunity to teach U.S. History and coach basketball there. John established a remarkable career at South and retired in 1994.

During his first decade at South, daughters Brigid, Katy and Meg arrived. The original "girl dad" balanced his five daughters' countless dance recitals, school plays and sporting events with the demands of his teaching and coaching positions.

He estimated he taught more than 5,000 kids by the time he retired. He loved teaching, and developed an army of students who loved him in return. He formed an unbreakable bond with his fellow teachers and coaches, many of whom became lifelong friends.

He shared his love of history with his students, tossed tape balls at those caught napping, played video highlights of the NHL's best fights after tests and created a rock 'n roll Hall of Fame wall, where students hung their favorite band's posters. Never shy to engage in a debate, John had a keen eye for the overlooked and a low tolerance for "sandbags" "toads" or "fades," his monikers for students skipping class or showing little effort.

John and Mary Ellen regularly gathered with their beloved "Pot Luck" friends to celebrate life's moments. He also volunteered as a church usher, most likely for the opportunity to chat with fellow attendees. A gifted story and joke teller, John would lighten every heart in the room irrespective of the occasion.

His biggest source of consistent heartbreak in his lifetime remained the Detroit Lions. His loyalty to them knew no limits, despite his angry mid-game phone calls to family and friends. He enjoyed John Wayne and war movies, the History Channel, boxing matches and Hockey Night in Canada. He remained a thoroughly devoted Detroit and University of Michigan sports fan.

John found his happy place at the family cottage in St. Ignace. You could always find him on the porch after 4 p.m. Mass overlooking the Straights of Mackinac, likely sipping a single malt in the late afternoon sun, while listening to The Platters or Elvis Presley. Here he would rhetorically note his bliss, saying, "I wonder what the poor people are doing today?" Though he joked his teaching career made him a "thousand-aire," he knew his true wealth came from his strong faith and the blessings of his family and friends.

John will be dearly missed by so many, but especially by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ellen; his daughters, Michele Blondin (Ali), Brigid Gentile (Tim), Katy Walsh (Chris) and Meg Leonard (Billy); his sisters, Pamela Blondin (Dr. Harry Lenhart) and Kathleen Blondin-Stone (Bill); his brother-in-laws, Dan Sloan (Lana) and Leo Romo. He leaves behind his pride and joy, his 15 grandchildren: Tory, Chasen (Katherine) and Tevyn Gentile (Megan); Jesse

(Lindsay), Abbey, Benjamin, Matthew and Emilie Haji-Sheikh; Molly and Annie Walsh; Kathryn, William, Elisabeth and his namesake, John (Jack) Leonard; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends from near and far, especially his "family" in St. Ignace. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Nita Blondin, his brothers, Delbert (Bette) and James Blondin (Sue), his sister, Nita Katherine, his daughter, Maureen Brady (Kevin), and his cherished granddaughter, Clare Walsh.

A Funeral Mass will take place at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22nd at St. Clare of Montefalco Church, 16231 Charleviox in Grosse Pointe Park, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 4390 Conner Street, Detroit, MI 48215.