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John Durel Wolfe

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Jesuit High School University of New Orleans

FUNERAL HOME

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana

John Wolfe Obituary

Wolfe John Durel Wolfe went home to God on February 7 with poetry in his heart and a paintbrush in his hand. He was 44. A gifted writer, artist, teacher and people-lover, he was known for his inner light; his joy; his radiant, boundless energy; his creativity; a heart with an enormous capacity to love others; and his beautiful smile and contagious laughter. He was passionately in love with life and entered deeply into the richness of each moment. John is survived by his three siblings Adele Wolfe, Minette Wolfe and Bobby Wolfe; his beloved son Eli Wolfe and Eli's mother, Heather McMillen of Honolulu, Hawaii; and countless cousins, relatives and best friends. He is predeceased by his parents Mignon Constantin Wolfe and Robert R. Wolfe, Jr. John loves his son Eli more than all the stars in the sky - and would lasso the moon for him. John was a graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans; a Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude graduate of Loyola of Chicago; and a graduate of the University of New Orleans Master's Program in American Literature. He lived in Hawaii for much of his life and taught Academy English and Creative Writing for 15 years at Punahou School in Honolulu. Wrapped in the loving arms and collaborative spirit of his talented English Dept. colleagues, he blossomed into a transformative listener and educator. He was loved and admired by his colleagues and his students - many of whom said, "Mr. Wolfe is the best teacher I ever had!" John was filled with wonder and he lived the aloha spirit. He had a gift for tapping into and developing the potential of each child - and encouraging them to express their originality, creativity and uniqueness in all forms of expression, including verbal and the visual arts. At Punahou, a school known for its innovative teaching and learning environment, he was delighted to team-teach "On Lily Pond" (Spirituality and Ethics in Literature) and "Arts and Letters". John relished the creativity of interdisciplinary teaching. A service will be held in late May in New Orleans at Holy Name of Jesus Church. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for support for Eli Wolfe's education. Contributions can be sent to Eli Wolfe c/o Heather McMillen, P.O. Box 61580, Honolulu, HI 96839. To view and sign the guest book, please go to www.lakelawnmetairie.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times-Picayune from Mar. 4 to Mar. 6, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for John Wolfe

18 Entries

Randy Bates

February 26, 2023

I continue to miss John and always will.
The above photograph of John smiling and another of him somehow balancing on one foot on the tip of a small vertical tree limb with his arms raised wide in celebration are on the wall among beloved family photographs above my computer. I often look at John as I write,

Sharon Solwitz

June 7, 2016

John was a student of mine also of my husband Barry Silesky at Loyola in Chicago. He was a quirky, gifted poet, and a warm-hearted, spirited, joyous young man, who seemed good in the best sense of the word. My heart goes out to his family, and to Heather his lovely former wife, whom we also knew, and to their son.
Sharon Solwitz

March 10, 2016

John was a great person

Randy Bates

March 9, 2016

John possessed a brilliant and generative humility. He thought and wrote compellingly and with rare originality, kindness, and implicit delight about teaching--which was his calling, though I doubt he would have named it that way or in any way but indirectly. His Master's thesis and his defense of it (3/23/15) earned Distinction, an uncommon achievement in our department at UNO. I've never read a better one. I sense that I'm like so many whom John touched: I loved learning from him, his huge heart, and our friendship.

Roger Fox

March 8, 2016

John was such a cool cousin - he will be missed. We had a lot in common, and I will always remember many of our conversations. My love goes out to his family and friends.

Florentina Staigers

March 7, 2016

John was such a sincere and kind-hearted person. He truly touched my life with the little ways in which he showed me I matter as a writer and as a person. I have so much gratitude for him.

Tammy H

March 7, 2016

Some of the best times of my first year at UNO were spent with you, John. Playing pool with you and your brother Bobby (yeah...I still don't aim before I shoot), trying my first oysters and snowballs (you never did adequately explain why they are shaped like cones), and just having my best friend to talk to on the way to work every morning. Nothing can fill the hole you left in my heart. I will miss you every single day.

Sarah DeBacher

March 7, 2016

John was a student in my Advanced Creative Nonfiction course at the University of New Orleans. That semester, I felt I was a student of his. He reminded me that teaching is a calling--my calling--and that learning from students like John is its highest reward.

John, thank you! Thank YOU!

Elizabeth L.

March 7, 2016

My sincere condolences to his family and friends. I only knew John briefly during the Master's program at UNO, but in every single encounter with him, I could see and feel his passion and joy. Even when just passing each other in the hall, he'd always give a big smile and wave.

I brought my paper to him once as a peer, and I am sincere in saying that he gave me some of the best feedback on my writing I've ever gotten throughout my English education. I could tell that he cared, deeply, about writing: about words and ideas, about people and education.

This is truly a loss, and again, my deepest sympathies to those who knew him well.

From someone who only knew him briefly, but could sense his light immediately.

K VE

March 7, 2016

John was always my intended audience. He literally taught me everything I know and I am a better person for it. love you buddy.

Jenna

March 7, 2016

John, as Eli's nanny, I was blessed to see you through his eyes only. That's how I know you're a superhero, the strongest man in the world, the smartest man in the world, the most handsome man, and the best tickler. A day spent with you is like spending the day with Batman because you are so so cool. Your awesomeness will live on through your amazing little man who will never forget you. All of my love goes to Heather and Eli, and prayers of peace for all. Mwa.

Heather McMillen

March 7, 2016

Dearest friends on O'ahu, we'll gather at Malaekahana State Park on Sat at 2pm in John's memory. You're welcome to join in informal sharing of songs, poetry, and memories. Kid friendly. Potluck to follow. All are welcome. Aloha, Heather

Auntie Barb Malewicki

March 6, 2016

I miss you John Wolfe. You filled my heart with smiles and love. I cherish the many adventures we shared in Africa, Chicago and Honolulu. My sympathy to Adele, Minette and Bobby. My love and hugs and Eli and Heather. May you rest in God's heavenly peace.

March 6, 2016

You brightened the lives of all who have been fortunate to know you. My hope is that Eli has inherited much of what made you, you. Your death seems to confirm the Old saying that "only the good die young". Our condolences to Eli, Heather and your loving family.
George & Vivian.

March 6, 2016

my deepest sympathy to this family. losing a loved one, a brother, and father is very hard. draw close to god and he will draw close to you and give you the comfort that you need.

Cecile Torbergsen

March 5, 2016

My deepest condolences to Eli, Heather, Bobby, Minette, Adele and family, for the death of your beloved John. May you know the love and comfort of God and friends in your grief; and may fond memories keep John alive in your hearts.
Cecile Costley Morgan Torbergsen

March 5, 2016

God Bless Ya's

Miss CC

March 5, 2016

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998