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John Joseph Lilly

Obituary

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John Lilly Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 12, 2005.

LILLY, John Joseph - Passed away June 6, 2005 in San Pedro, CA after a lengthy battle with leukemia. John was born June 12, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA and was a long time resident of California. He attended Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh where he received his Masters in Fine Arts. He then pursued his career as an art fabricator. A prominent fabrication of John's was the "Ballerina Clown", by Jonathan Borofsky in Venice, CA. Mr. Lilly is survived by his son, Alexander Lilly of Portland, OR; loving companion, Mary Hamilton; brother, Tom (Robbie) Lilly of Pittsburgh, PA; sister, Mary (Eric) Segeler and niece, Lei Lei Segeler all from Valley City, OH. Funeral Services to be announced by McNERNEY'S MORTUARY 570 W. 5th St., San Pedro, CA. 90731 (310) 832-8351

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Recent Activity

June 24, 2005

Vince & Judy Lackner posted to the memorial.

June 23, 2005

Tom and Robi Lilly posted to the memorial.

June 13, 2005

Mary Joan Walheim posted to the memorial.

5 Entries

Vince & Judy Lackner

June 24, 2005

We were so sorry to hear of John's death. We hadn't seen John since he was at Carnegie Tech, but we had kept in touch through his mother or his brother Tom. The whole Lilly/Lippert family has always been close to us: Mary Jo was a cousin of the Lackners, and it was she who introduced us to each other more than 60 years ago.

We remember how talented John was, and how varied his art. It's sad that he had to leave this world so young--he had much more to contribute.

Time really does heal so much--but the ache never quite goes away. How wonderful that you have some tangible pieces of art to help you to remember John.

Vince and Judy Lackner

Tom and Robi Lilly

June 23, 2005

As the wind catches the dust that is now John's body

And makes it whole with the desert he loved

His spirit which we had the great pleasure of knowing and loving

And of being loved by him

Will still and forever be with us

John no longer needs to dream the solutions

He so creatively brought to projects brought to him

But our memory of him will surely be of his Ah ha

His smile when he knew the puzzle was solved

And of his great craft in creating what needed to be

John spoke through his work

And his work shows the beauty of his mind

The depth of his vision

The power of his hands

And the gentle caring of his soul

We are better for knowing John

And will be happy remembering him

Brother, Father, Uncle

And always our Dear friend

Mary Joan Walheim

June 13, 2005

It is hard to express the loving feelings and sense of loss that are so profound for me.

I am greatly saddened by John's death, but know that he had prepared well for this eventuality.

I hope Alex and Mary know that John's family includes the Philadelphia area where they are always welcome.

My condolences also to Mary and Tom who have lost a loving brother

Mary Jo Rafferty Walheim

Peggy Rafferty/Connolly

June 13, 2005

My best memory of cousin John was visiting at Lake Erie. John was so tall and handsome. He was about to go kayaking with a friend.

John sculpted a wonderful owl for my Mother, his Aunt Vera Lilly Rafferty, that we all loved. It was prominently displayed on the family mantle, and was a loving reminder of John.