John Prentice Denio

TRAVERSE CITY - John P. Denio (Jock), age 95, of Traverse City, MI passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving, November 23, 2017 at the Munson Hospice House. Jock was born on March 24, 1922 to Fayette & Lucy (Shannon) Denio in Lincoln MA where he grew up with his 3 older sisters Lucy, Tean & Julie.
Before completing his BA at Amherst College & his Master's in Education at Boston University, he served during WWII as a medical technical in the US Army Air Forces 830th MAES (flight 12) on the Cairo-Karachi route. After beginning his teaching career at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge MA, he moved to MI in 1961 to become headmaster of Brookside School Cranbrook for over 20 years. He moved permanently to Traverse City in 1994 with his wife, Sue, after retiring from his book business: Children, Naturally. He continued to stay active in the community including work with the Grand Traverse Land Conservancy and hosting a Saturday radio program about jazz on WNMC when he was in his 80's. He faithfully volunteered at the library, attended the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, & went on special outings with the devoted assistance of the caregivers at The Crystal Penny for the past few years & to whom the family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude. He is survived by his wife Suzanne (Sue) McCort Denio, Traverse City; daughters Anne (Bob) Wiley, St Petersburg, FL; Kitty (Nick) Jospe, Rochester, NY; Amy Denio, Seattle, WA, four grandchildren: Geoff, Kristen, Alexandra & Christophe; and in-laws Joe (Nancy) Muha & their children Beth Karczewski, Bill & Todd Muha.
A celebration of life is planned for 2:00 pm on Saturday June 9, 2018 at the First Congregational Church of Traverse City. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Civic Strings Ensemble Program of the TSO: 300 E. Front St, Ste 230, TVC 49684, or to the Peninsula Community Library Building Fund at 2699 Island View Rd, TVC 49686.