John J. Darrey

DARREY, John J. entered eternal life peacefully on June 21, 2012 at home with family just a few days short of his 94th birthday. He was known to all who met him as a kind man - enthusiastic, positive, energetic, smiling and optimistic. He was skilled as a carpenter craftsman. He was very innovative and resourceful. He was also, a man with unwavering steadfast faith in God. John was born in Ashland, WI in 1918 to John and Alice Darrey who preceded him in death as well as his five older sisters. He was a flight crew member in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was preceded in death by his wife, Trude. He is survived by three sons, John "Mick" (Judie) Darrey, Jeff (Sharon) Darrey, Tim (Bridget) Darrey; two stepsons David (Sandi) Todd and Richard (Lori) Todd; daughter-in-law, Donna Darrey; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces & nephews. John was the founder of Darrey Construction Co. in 1947 in Racine, WI which he successfully operated for 27 years and was an independent building contractor for two decades in Clearwater. For the most recent ten years, he was employed by Publix at Neptune where he loved visiting and engaging with customers. There will be a Catholic funeral Mass for John celebrated by Fr. David Toups on Monday, June 25th at Christ the King Catholic Church at 2:30 pm. A visitation with friends will take place one hour before Mass. Following Mass John will be interred with military honors at Curlew Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in John's memory to the Trinity Café, P.O. Box 320146, Tampa, FL 33679 www.trinitycafe.org