John Crawford Ahern Jr.

John (Jack) Crawford Ahern, Jr. 90, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side, on February 10, 2026. Born November 23, 1935, in Detroit, to the late John Crawford Ahern, and Margaret Mary (nee Brisbois) Ahern. John was devoted to his family, faith, and his country.

John is survived by his loving wife Jacqueline (Jackie) (nee Ayotte) Ahern. They had just celebrated 70 years of marriage on January 14, 2026. He was father to the late Deborah (Jim) Larson, David (Debra) Ahern, Denise (the late Bill) Bull, Dennis (Barbara) Ahern, Patty Ahern, and Diane Ahern. He loved spending time with his grandchildren Nicholas (Cara) Ahern, Ashley (fiancé Alvi Cuni), Ahern, Rachel Bull, and Jonathan Larson. Great grandfather to John (Jack) Robert Ahern and Adriana Urban. He also is survived by his stepbrother, Giles (Carol) McMahon, and stepsister Ruth (the late Ron) Sokolik. He is preceded in death by his parents his stepmother Florence (nee Hess) Ahern, his mother-in-law Marie Eva (nee Parent) Ayotte (the late Albert) Brinker, his only sibling Patricia (the late Francis) Horkavi who recently died on January 31, 2026, his sister-in-law Irene (the late Harold) Selden, and his grandsons John Ahern and Daniel Ahern.

Jack grew up on the east side of Detroit attending Guardian Angels Catholic grade school and St Joseph’s High School. After high school, he attended the University of Detroit for 2 years and was on the freshman football squad. Jack enlisted into the Naval Reserves in 1953, serving 8 years, and was indentured into the IBEW Local 58 by his uncle Charles Ahern in 1957. Jack was a devout Catholic while raising his family in Warren. He was on the St. Edmund’s Catholic Church Parish Council and was elected to the Warren Woods School District Board of Education for 16 years, where he served as President for 8 years. With a grown family and more time on his hands, Jack ran for the Michigan House of Representative, 25th District office. During his years as a member of Local 58, he was appointed as Business Agent for one year, elected as the Recording Secretary for one term, and served many years as a Trustee on the Pension Fund. He was very proud of his stewardship of the Pension Fund, and its growth over the years for his brothers and sisters of Local 58. Later, as President of the Retirees Association, Jack remained close and attended many of the monthly luncheons with his fellow retirees until his death.

When he was not working, or fulfilling his civic duties, Jack enjoyed being the Stage Manager for the Warren Woods high school musicals for over 20 years. For his hard work and dedication, Jack was inducted into the Warren Woods District Schools Hall of Fame.

Jack enjoyed bowling, golfing, crossword puzzles, and playing cards. He was a skilled card player, and he played in many card clubs including euchre, bridge, and enjoyed monthly poker games with his friends. Jack enjoyed camping with his family and canoe trips with friends. One year he decided to take the family on a camping trip across the United States, to visit family, friends, national parks, and as many historical landmarks as possible in their month-long trip.

He was a “DIEHARD” Detroit sports fan of the Lions, Red Wings, Tigers, and the University of Michigan Wolverine football team. He loved to remind everyone that Detroit in the 1930’s was named the “City of Champions”. One year the Lions won the National Football League pennant, the Tigers won the World Series, and the Red Wings won the NHL Stanley Cup. While he loved many things, his greatest was the “love of his life” Jackie.

A visitation will be held from 9 to 10 am on Monday, February 23, 2026, at St Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 48115 Schoenherr Rd., Shelby Twp. MI 48315, followed by a Catholic Burial mass at 10:00 am. There will be a private ceremony at Prince of Peace Cremation Garden, Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Twp. MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 4390 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48215, or Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.