Pamela Scott, do not blame yourself, John went home to be with the Lord because he had a blockage . If was bound to happen anytime , anywhere. The good Lord called him and it was time .
We love you John!
Our beloved John Danke passed away very suddenly on Wednesday night, December 30. He was at St. Patrick's Church practicing late that evening, and collapsed. He was discovered the next morning by the church staff. We all share a profound sense of loss. John was the kindest, most generous person imaginable, and the hole his passing leaves in our lives will be impossible to fill. I don't know what we will do without the music that he brought into our lives.
A funeral mass for John will be held on Saturday, January 23, at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside. There will be a musical prelude, featuring some of John's favorite music, at 9:30 a.m., and the Mass will begin at 10:00. He will be interred at the Mission at the conclusion of the Mass. Following the burial, there will be a short reception in the Parish Center, where John's friends can gather for refreshments and fellowship.
This memorial page was created as a place for all of John's friends to share their thoughts, tributes and stories. Please contribute whatever you would like. Photos of our notoriously shy friend are most welcome!
John and I both shared a passion for performing different genres of music. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Musical Theater, Pop and Opera. And of course Burt Bacharach who we thought was in a league of his own.
He would bring me boxes of music and say "I just thought I'd introduce you to some of my favorite songs". As he'd start to say the title - I'd start singing it from the other side of the room. It got to the point that he'd go out of his way to find a song I didn't know. When I'd ask him about a song - he'd not only know it, he'd have the music on my porch within days. When I ventured into Opera, (such a novice) he introduced me to the most beautiful arias. Once he knew your voice he would bestow gifts of beautiful music to you. He'd say, "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop this off to you - thought of you when I ran accross it - can I play it for you, I've got a few extra minutes before my next Mass". He was so generous!
He loved my brownies, my dog and when my kids were young - he really loved their Hermit Crabs.
I praise God for knowing and loving John. He was my friend, kindred spirit and accompanist for most of my work on the west coast. There will never be another like John!
....
And when you go through the valley
And the shadow comes down from the hill
If morning never comes to be
Be still, be still, be still
If you forget the way to go
And lose where you came from
If no one is standing beside you
Be still and know I am.
....
Be Still by The Frey
This was the last song John and I presented at the PopOpera Soiree in November. We got together to rehearse something for the January PopOpera but time got away from us and I figured we'd get together one more time before the Soiree. Not to be. John was not only a wonderful musician but a dear friend to me and so many. I would come to the Pacific Beach Women's Club to rehearse something and would end up talking about life and people and dogs for over an hour. Finally, both of us to tired to work, we would just sing something for fun and I'd ger him to sometimes sing a part with me. It was a wonderful time rehearsal or no rehearsal. What a tragic loss to my life and everyone else. Belssings, Dear John.