John A. Janitz

John A. Janitz, age 82 of Northville passed away on May 19, 2025.

He was born in Northampton, Pennsylvania to the late Mary (née Novak) and John F. Janitz. John graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University, earned his MBA from Eastern Michigan University and is graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He was a benefactor to every school he attended.

The devoted husband of 61 years to Alfreda (née Hadl) Janitz; John was also a loving father of two children – John (Nancie) Janitz, Jr. and Judy (Ray) Bagley and proud grandfather of Ellie Janitz, Hannah Bagley and Emma Bagley. He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his sister Monica (Joe) Groller.

John was a senior executive at several major corporations, including Ford, Gulf +Western Industries, TRW and Textron where he was president and member of the board. He was an advisor and board member for over 40 companies including Kodak and STR. In 2007, John co-founded Evergreen Capital Partners, with his long-time CFO, friend and business partner Dom Schiano, they enjoyed many years of growth and success in investing in a wide variety of businesses including Hostess and United Wholesale Mortgage.

John read several newspapers a day, enjoyed reading biographies and thrillers and binging the occasional Netflix show. He was a big fan of old Western movies and TV shows, including Gunsmoke and The Riflemen. He loved to sit down to a great meal, a good glass of wine and lively conversation. John was an avid golfer and together with his son, John Jr., won their flight twice in the Green Coat Invitational at Meadowbrook Country Club. He was fond of going on big adventures, such as bird shooting with the King of Spain and in Austria with his good friends, as well Elk hunting in Colorado and Bear hunting in Alaska. Though he never did get that Dall sheep. He remained active into his 80’s and loved to run, bike and swim.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 2:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Visitation will continue on Friday, May 30, 2025 beginning at 10:30 A.M. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Victory, 133 Orchard Drive, Northville, MI  48167.

John will be laid to rest at Rural Hills Cemetery in Northville, Michigan.

Those who wish to honor the memory of John A. Janitz are invited to consider a contribution to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 7th Floor Norwalk, CT 06851.

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.