On this, the third anniversary of your passing from this world to be with the Lord, I send anew, my love and gratitude to you, dear, kind, wonderful John.  Forever in my memory.

Of course, I remembered the anniversary of your passing, John. I stood with the mourners at yesterday's Shabbat service and recited the Mourner's Kaddish. Mentally, I sang Maurice Ravel's magnificent rendition which we had worked on together numerous times. You will most assuredly be forever missed, mon cher homme et ami. Be well and happy wherever you are and make music in the heavens for eternity.
This from a very grateful Marcia.

I will always remember the help that John gave in our Theory class while we attended Chapman College. I would have gotten an F if it hadn't been for John. For years and years we exchanged Christmas cards and letters. I loved John as a brother and I will forever remember him

Dear, wonderful John.  Your birthday is in my prayer book. An anniversary always to be remembered. Yesterday I was in Wales, United Kingdom, without easy access to the Internet, so was not able to post a message. I shall always remember your kindness and generosity in giving me encouragement with my singing and for the few lessons we were able to have. You gave me a lot of music and a great deal of joy. Rest in peace dear John.

Dear John...
We miss you..
And...
Just like you recommended...
Thank God we started going to Saint Patrick's
I just remembered that today is my papa's BIRTHDAY..
You both must be playing to our Lord in heaven...

Dearest John,
Although I am no longer able to visit your grave as I now live in Tucson, I can be quite certain when I say that all of us who knew you will miss you forever. Yes, the initial shock and grief at your passing have eased a bit. I spent a couple of hours today, your birthday, at volunteer training for the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter which I know would have pleased you. Be happy wherever you are, my treasured John.

John, we are eternally grateful for all you did for us and with us. We miss you, and will never forget you! We are better human beings for having known you. Rest in peace, good friend.

John - Am seeing you each day as God's perfect child and am looking at the picture you gave me of yourself which is on my shelf just above my computer so I can see your smiling face everyday. You will always have a special place in my heart. Every Christmas season I still can see you at my piano playing Christmas Carols for those of us gathered in my home for some Christmas cheer. Thank you for always making me sound good when I sang. I hear your sweet music each day and especially on Wednesday evenings at church. I can still see you sitting at the organ and smiling at me as I walked in to conduct the service. The memories of those years I will always cherish. God Bless you my dearest friend.

John- Missing you everyday. Remembering you and your sweet kind personality and your love for people. You will always be in our hearts. I hear your music in my mind often. Thank you Lord for John! Reminding myself to keep up the music. God bless you John. I light a candle for you on your b-day!

John was one of my dearest friends. I keep his picture on my desk and talk to him regularly thanking him for all that he did for me. I was this soloist at the Carlsbad Christian Science church for 4 years and John always made me sound my very best even when I was not in great voice that morning. My husband was his friend also and my youngest son, Billy was his friend. My son was a musician also and played in his high school band. John always encouraged Billy with his music. I shall never forget his loving, giving spirit. He is dear to me to this day.

On this, the second anniversary of our beloved friend John Danke's passing; I would like to pay tribute to his marvellous musicianship and to his endless encouragement and kind generosity of spirit. To be a fine accompanist is not easy. John was the finest I have ever come across. What a privilege to have been able to sing with him all those years ago on Kettner Blvd, San Diego. You will never be forgotten, dear John.

I'm always glad to be reminded of you John and your kindness and artistry, always.I'm still singing and recall how you would play for me whenever I asked. How I miss you as we all do.

God Bless you John! You are truly missed! Devoted to the greatness of music! Thanks for your legacy!

You must appreciate the three white rose bushes next to you, which are growing so beautifully!

I was able to visit John's grave on August 22 for his birthday on August 18, and said Kaddish, through tears, of course. His epitaph was taken from the words of Lebanese prophet Khalil Gabrin and is so like John. For those who are not able to visit John's grave, it reads, "That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space." Beneath that is a curved music staff with music notes. I like to imagine that John was taken from us so that he could use his extraordinary musical talents to make music in the heavens and space. Dear John, I hope you are so happy wherever you are and are playing your music in heaven. We all miss you more than you will ever know. The angels' gain is our loss.

Woke this morning to see from my prayer book that today would have been our dear and much loved friend, John Danke's 67th birthday. John was one of my very favourite people. He helped me so much with my singing many years ago when he accompanied Pandeli Lazaridii's students on Kettner Blvd, San Diego. What a privilege it was to have known this wonderful, selfless man. God bless you, always, John. Thank you for all you did for so many, many people.

Dear friends of John
Last night I left a recital rehearsal in Prescott where I live and thought how much better and easier this would have gone if we had John sitting at the piano.
John... I am missing your support and kindness and your gentle spirit blessed with incredible talent. You are a legend we will never forget.

It feels as if I am talking to John--Dear John, I'll never forget your unfailing generosity and support for me as a fledging singer. No matter how many years passed, when I'd call and ask for a session you always made room for me. thank you always and forever...

Dear John, hardly a day goes by when I don't remember you, especially on your birthday. I have multiple binders containing the music you so lovingly gave to me in full view in my living room. They always act as a reminder of what a kind, caring, and superb man you were. Music simply is not the same without you. As soon as I am able, I plan on visiting your grave and saying Kaddish, as I did last year. I wish you a peaceful eternal sleep.

John was and is the most kind and thoughtful person I have every worked with. He loved his work as a musician and we loved hearing him play. He was gifted with perfect pitch and his fingers made every piano and organ sing with joy. I especially miss him each Wednesday night when he played for our service at the Christian Science church in Poway. In the 1990's he accompanied me every Sunday for 4 years.
I miss you John and will always remember your encouragement and how you made me a better singer.  You are God's perfect child.

I had known John for about 6 years through St. Mark's parish. He always had something positive to say to me and made me feel like I was the only one he was talking to. I miss him at St. Mark's and I often feel his presence at the piano. He helped so many people with kind words. He said you are never too old and never to give up on the gifts and talents that our Lord has given us. Never stop trying to improve the gifts that you have been given. The Lord will shine through. Seeing that I am up there in age, I will be seeing him soon. In the meantime, God bless John Danke and the privilege of knowing him. -Irene Silberman

John: remembering today Dec. 30, 2016, how willingly you would accompany me on the piano as I studied with Beverly Ogdon in Del Mar. Early days--and you continued to be a friend and supporter over the many years that followed.

Dearest John, I am thinking about you today. You may be gone from us here, but you are never forgotten. Your loving and caring spirit and extraordinary musical talents will live on in our hearts. Beautiful memories abound. You are so greatly missed.

It's been a year now and I still miss John's piano accompaniment at our church choir, but I know he's at the keys playing for a heavenly choir with the Lord at attendance - an enjoying every moment!!

Hardly a day goes by when I fail to think of our beloved John. Of course, December 30 will be especially remembered as will his birthday on August 18. It doesn't seem possible that he's gone a year. I hope he's happy wherever he is in the eternal world. I'm sure his music now thrills all of eternity. He was a brilliant musician and a magnificent human being. His remarkable abilities as an accompanist and musician brought out the best in my singing. He was the kindest, sweetest person I've ever known.

My dear friend John
Patrick and I reminisced together this past Tuesday over lunch. We spoke of the void that may never be filled by other pianists in the San Diego area. After all, yours were big shoes to fill. Know that we will keep your light burning in our hearts here on earth…until we meet again.

You were taken from us too soon. We miss you and know that you are looking down on us approvingly.

I guess God has a place for him in the orchestra of the cosmos. He was a great steward of the piano. His devotion was daily. I wish in these last few years I would have called him more.
We met in Palm Desert @ Silver Spur Mobile Manor. He played and I would listen. We talked around the pool.
We both became interested in solar energy back then & I even got him to ride a motorcycle. He purchased a 1974 XL 250. We would ride around in the desert on the other side of Hwy 74.
 Looking back I know that I had one of those friends that you can count on just one hand. 
How our lives go so quick. I will miss him. He was a very good and helpful person to everyone. I wish more people could be like John. It would truly be a better world.

I did remember John's 66th birthday on August 18. I visited his grave on that date and recited Kaddish. John and I used to work on the Kaddish set to music by Maurice Ravel, so I knew he would have been pleased and comfortable with my decision. I really wanted to have recited Kaddish at graveside at John's funeral, but it was not in the schedule.  It was so difficult to see a gravestone with John's name on it. Before I left, I stroked his gravestone and wished him a peaceful sleep. Oh, how we miss you, you shining star of a man!

John,
Happy 66th birthday! We know you are home with the Lord rejoicing and happy. We miss you very much. Hello to our friend , Nolyn. We all had wonderful years of making music together. Concerts are not the same without the two of you.

I just passed by The Pacific Beach women's Club and remember
what a great person was John Danke.

I will never forget the times John reappeared in my life for over thirty years. Still a "fledgling" singer, I appreciate all the kindnesses he showed to me.

John I miss your gentle smile every sunday. And always making my day

Happy Birthday as we celebrate you life. I miss your gentle spirit and your shy smile as we shared a laugh while rehearsing something quite serious. Sharing a story about Canada.....being in a state of shock when I sung part of a song and you looked up and said, "Scorpions!" Who knew, you knew???

Beautiful John. You had so many sides of you, just a like a shiny prism. Serious (I heard!) and so talented and humble. I considered you a brother (that I would have wanted if I could have requested a brother - family is sent from "Central Casting" -it is what it is!) you were wise and kind and dear and believed in me and supported my fantasy of being a singer without making me feel foolish. I think of you often and still want to pick up the phone and call you when I hear a song I would like to re-create with you. 

Heaven is so lucky to have you to work with the choir of angels. But most important is your rest. Finally! And that your spirit lives on in all of us like a light shining in the night in our souls. Blessings.

After reading though posts from others, it became clear very quickly the impact that John left on others. His dedication for support of virtually any instrument that could be played with passion can't be quantified. When others told me that the trumpet was "inappropriate" for various parts of the mass (many times), John always found a way to get me to play and together we proved the unique contribution that brass can have. Sometimes, his efforts were so on the fly to have me play when ever possible that he'd hand me a hand written part that he was working on in between songs for me to sight read 10 minutes later! On some pieces, the ink was still running. Unfortunately, my dream of returning to my home parish to share music with John again will not be accomplished. However, his impact he had on my development and literally all of the music he wrote for me will be cherished forever. As with others, I selfishly wish we had more time with John.

Dear John,  
   Thank you for your service and music. You are one dedicated servant till the end. We will missed you but you will be in our hearts forever. Now, you will be playing for with our Lord

Dear John was my first opera accompanist. Back in the day being a young poor immigrant girl I remember his patience and kindness towards me. He always believed in my abilities even when I doubted myself. Thank you, dear John for being part of my journey. I will always remember you

To our dear John
You will be so sadly missed. I always looked forward to your greeting when I was there at St.Marks..Rest in Peace.

Since I can remember John was present at St.Marks's Catholic Church, I always appreciated his dedication and musicianship at the church but it wasn't until I joined the choir that I realized just how dedicated John was to St Marks, and it was clear how dedicated he was to the her parishes that he provided service at. Some people might complain at how many practices were required from the music ministery, and yet, John was at every practice without a complaint. He knew that his service was essential to the mass that he was assisting with and I am sure that nobody took his time and dedication for granted. I grew up as an alter boy and always appreciated the talent that he offers back to the church. When I finally joined the choir, it was John who accompanied the first time I sang a responsorial psalm at mass and he had a way to make you want to do your best job possible. He was a true inspiration and in my mind, I thought of him as such a constant at church that when I found out about his padding, it truly devastated me. His talent and his dedication is something that I look up to and wish to honor. He was so generous with his talents and I'll always wish for one more chance to sing alongside him at the piano. I miss you, John. I wish you an eternity of peace and I thank you for everything,

John was a great man he is why I did the shows because he gave me encouragement . He was not only a gifted musician but he had a great heart and everybody loves him. I know God as plans for him and his talent. He was very blessed I was so glad I got to be his friend and work with him. He will be missed by all of us. All I know that God called him up yonder. I know God will accept him with open arms . God bless you my loving friend and play for the Angels in heaven I will miss you

Thank you, John, for all the beautiful music! you were truly a joy to be with in the choir! you were one of the first people I met when I joined the choir over 20 years ago and I am so happy to have known you. I will miss you and your silly quotes and quips. You always made me laugh. Thank you for the gift of knowing you.

You and your music will live on forever. I will miss you at the 9AM Mass.
May your soul rest in peace.

I have been a piano student of John's for around 8 years now. He was one of the nicest, most loving, kind and caring people I have ever met. He always put others before himself. He was a great mentor to me, and he has inspired me as well as many others. Rest in peace, John.

I forgot to tell you today. Yes When we were in Turkey, he loved Bodrum so much, a very cute city at the coast of Aegian Sea, he literally wanted to retire there. I guess it wasn't meant to be. Just the same we went there three years in a row to give benefit concerts. He loved every minute of it.

Also one of the highlights of our trip was to go to visit the graves of hundreds of dead soldiers who died during the First World War about 175000 young men both Turkish and Australian and New Zealanders. The great and bloody Gallipoli campaigne. They were basically teenagers. It is a huge place, a very sad place indeed. John went around and read practically every gravestone with tears in his eyes.

I'm so disappointed that I cannot attend John's sevices - due to my infirmities. Although I had not seen him in nearly a,year, I have valued his friendship and almost unbelievable talent. I cherish the CD we made together as well as the miriad hours we worked together.

Dear John,
You devoted your life to serving others.
You cared neither for money nor fame but for kindling that inner flame.
That flame that flickers in the wind and engulfs us from within.
Inspiring us to do more, be more, and achieve more.
And though winds may toss, twirl, and turn us, you always steered me in the right direction.
The direction of my dreams.
You taught me to keep my feet firm on the ground but my sight high up in the sky.
Far away from all the pain and suffering of the world.
A world you filled with happiness and joy.
You lightened up my world and set it all aglow with standing ovations and roaring applause.
And yet to you I ask: Why the sudden pause?
What’s the hidden cause?
Where is the applause?
No time for frustration, sadness, or negation.
It is time for this to come to pass.
To face the shadows of my past.
Alas, you are not dead.
It is not as they have said.
Your music continues to reverberate through the halls and walls of places where you played.
The places where you stayed.
The faces that you met.
Captured on vignette?
Captured by the soul.
Opera houses and concert halls. Churches and cathedrals.
To you there is no equal.
And so rather than one last adieu I give to you an ode.
‘Til we meet again my dear old friend.
-Tony

Letter to God ...

Dear God,
My friend John Danke is now with you. I know that he will be playing his wonderful  music in first row for you now. Here things are really very sad without him, he left a place in our hearts that will be only filled if we can deposit the huge love he delivered to each and every one of us.
Dear John, you will never die in our hearts because you will be here always. Your music will follow us as the wind, as it did yesterday, as today and as tomorrow, till guided by its beautiful sound we shall meet again.
With all my love and eternal gratitude.
Nadya…

The Lord has blessed us many years listening to this wonderful musician. His talent went so beyond what many can do. He always was helpful and supportive to the singers and fellow musicians that he accompanied. I really enjoyed working with him at Mira Costa College.

He also played at my wedding. It was so beautiful. He is such a sweet man with a kind heart!! My prayers go out to all that have known this wonderful man with a god given gift that gave us so much light.

I am thankful that I got to work with John several times at Mira Costa. It was so fun! He will be tremendously missed!

John was as my friend Martin Kelley one of our band of brothers. I cannot add too much to his memorial other than to say I rarely saw musical talent of that ability in a person. He left a lot of powerful memories during our teenage years and I am so sorry he is gone. I wish I could have talked to him one more time. Don't we all.