Final Salute

Summarizing a loved one’s life with words leaves the heart wanting. This obituary for John Windsor Suehr serves as a wayfinder for later generations in search of understanding his life. John, born to the late John Hartwig Suehr and Jacqueline Willcox Petrocelli on the 8th of October 1957 in Ottawa, Illinois; returned to the Lord at the Jacobetti House of Marquette, Michigan on the 23rd of January 2025; at the age of 67 years.

Born fourth out of eight siblings, John grew up in East Lansing, Michigan. Spending time with siblings and friends; dominating as a state champion in tennis, hockey, and swimming. His post-highschool activities included service with the United States Navy as a SeaBee, stationed at Adak, Alaska, and honorably discharged shortly after attending SEAL school. He learned underwater demolition, welding, and construction while growing a passion for diving, fly fishing, and all things maritime. He established his own company, Windsor Maritime Construction, and raised several buildings in East Lansing; later taking on larger projects.

To tell you John enjoyed his career as a Bridge Builder and Superintendent would be an understatement. His sons recall him pointing out bridges over long road trips, explaining the finer points of their construction. Moreover, John lived for mentoring. While he never vocalised the term, his role as superintendent on job sites brought many wayward young men and women within his sphere of influence. His optimism and strength drew them in like a magnet. His colleagues and coworkers out in Washington painted pictures of his joy, energy, and tough love through stories on the job site. John spoke often of overseeing construction of the Elwha River Bridge, and the pier at the Silverdale Waterfront Park.

While married a few times, John still spoke fondly of his second wife, Beth Rubus, who passed away April, 2024. Meeting at Paul Revere’s Tavern in East Lansing, Michigan they later married in 1989 outside of Toledo, OH. They moved to Silverdale, Washington where they cared for three hundred acres of old growth forest on Hood Canal. Their hobbies included fly fishing, digging for clams, grouse hunting, and setting crab pots. John and Beth enjoyed two children, Sean and Matthew. Despite later separating, they imprinted the boys with a deep love of the outdoors.

He enjoyed carpentry, fishing on the Manistee river, grilling, camping, and spending time with his grandkids. Time spent with family included sharing stories and laughing as the sun set around smoky coals of a charcoal grill or campfire. When John was asked about his favorite fly fishing spots, he said, “everywhere”. Although his response seemed to stonewall attempts to steal his honey holes, it was his way of telling us to, “Get off the couch and find your own secret spots.”

For his final years, John moved to Marquette, Michigan. With environs similar to the pacific northwest, John felt at home. In a short time John forged deep connections with fellow veterans at American Legion Post 44. They pulled John into their community. Taking him on lake trout charters on the deep water of Lake Superior; telling stories of their time in service over a beer, …..or two. All his friends emphasized the joy and energy he brought to the Legion.

Predeceased by his sisters Ginger and Jennifer along with sister-in-law Cindy, John is survived by his siblings George, Juliette, Jim, Jeff, and Jack (Julie) Suehr; children Sean (Taylor) Suehr, Matthew (Megan) Suehr; grandchildren Bram and Eira Suehr and many nieces and nephews. His long time friends and tomes of wild stories include Tommy Mannausa and Ashraf Abou Elsoued. John’s enduring optimism lasted to the end. In spite of his cancer diagnosis, when visited by friends and family in his final days John eased their hearts with a final ‘Hooyah’.

A celebration of life for John will be held at the American Legion Post 44 on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 1 until 3 p.m.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting John’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com
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