John J. Clancy

John J. Clancy, 71, of Livonia, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021. John was born on October 11, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to Leo and Helen (nee: Muldoon) Clancy, the fifth of their nine children. When John was a teenager, his father was transferred to Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is where John graduated from Washburn High School in 1967.

John put himself through college working at Farmer Jack, starting at Lawrence Technological University and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University. As the first in his family to attend college, he was an example to his four younger siblings, who all attended and graduated college as well. After college graduation, John began his career at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, where he faithfully worked for thirty-three years, retiring in 2009.

Outside of work John enjoyed playing softball with friends and in leagues. His speed and strong throwing arm made him a great roving center fielder. He also was an avid golfer. With his son, brothers and nephews, John enjoyed an annual weekend of golf and euchre at Gull Lake in Michigan. He was also a league member with friends he had known since elementary school.

When his son was young, John coached his son's hockey team - the only coach who couldn't stand up on skates!!! His knowledge and enthusiasm for the game more than made up for this lack. With his daughter, he enjoyed father-daughter Girl Scout camp, where, outside of nature adventures, “Killer Uno” was a favorite for the fathers.

With both friends and family, camping was a frequent vacation adventure. The raccoons were not his friends, however. On one trip, the raccoons unzipped the tent and stole an entire loaf of bread and a large bag of homemade chocolate chip cookies. The next morning, John was so upset about the loss of the cookies, he insisted “I should have slept with them.”

John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary (nee: Schmittdiel), daughter, Jennifer Clancy and son, John Clancy, Jr., as well as his siblings, Joe (Denise) Clancy, Dan (Patty) Clancy, Colleen (Rich) Harney, and Katie Linehan. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Bob Verkest & Denny Sheehan, his sister-in-law, Kay Clancy, twenty-one nieces and nephews and his beloved grand-puppy, Maple.

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by siblings, Leo Clancy, Jr., Rosemary Verkest, Jim Clancy, and Eileen Sheehan, and his brother-in-law, Kevin Linehan.

Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Harry J. Will Funeral Home (37000 West Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152). Visitation continues on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. A scripture service and sharing of memories will be held at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of John may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 (www.heart.org).

Please share a memory of John or condolences for his family in his online guest book below.