Obituary for John Joseph Ahern Jr. Ahern, John Jr. Age 96 passed away on December 22, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Laura Ahern; and by sibings, Lorle Cumming (Arthur), Rosemary Cochrane (Archie), Richard Ahern (Kay), and Lydia Moore (John). He is survived by his wife, Annette of 70 years; three sons, John III (Denise), Phillip and Paul (Mary); five grandchildren and one great grandson.
A brother, Walter Ahern resides in Cathedral City, California. John was a 1941 graduate of St. Paul Academy. After a year at Dartmouth College, his eduction was interrupted by WWII during which he served as an officer on a destroyer in the Atlantic.
He returned to graduate from the Univeristy of Minnesota. John’s eclectic and entrepreneurial business career drew him into various inudstries and services as Chairman, President, or owner of companies both domestic and abroad with diverse banking, commercial and charitable directorships along the way. Chronologically, John started in the hotel business and went on to movie theaters, package manufacturing, beauty salons and retirement homes.
When not operating businesses, John ventured into developing real estate and more recently served as President of Oklahoma Woodland Owners Association. John’s business connections brought knowledge and social pleasure through memberships in the Young Presidents Organization, World Presidents Organization and Chief Executives Organization. John was an enthusiastic tennis player, indifferent golfer, and avid skier on most of the world’s great mountains; especially he loved racing sailboats on Lake Minnetonka and snorkeling thru the British Virgin Islands.
Somewhat of a joiner, John and Annette’s Florida home brought them many friends in the Delray Beach St. Andrews Club, The Palm Beach Circumnavigators Club and the Manlapan Yacht Club. In Minnesota, John and Annette spent more than 50 years hanging around the Layfayette Club and the Minneapolis Club. John cherished his friends in the Excelsior Rotary, the Ham ‘n Eggs Breakfast Club, the Suburban Mens’ Club and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.
Above all was his love for family, friends and country. John’s lifelong coparticipant and beloved companion in these ventures was Annette, his bride of 70 years. A memorial service will be held at St. Martin’s-By-The-Lake at a later date to be determined.
John wants to give a special thanks to the Park Nicollet hospice staff, and particularly Mary Spurling RN, for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Huber Funeral & Cremation Services Excelsior Chapel 952-474-9595 To send flowers to the family of John Joseph Ahern Jr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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