John M. Tracey

John M. Tracey, 95, of Danbury Township, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing at Sylvania. He was born May 2, 1927 in Sandusky, the son of Alfred and Clair Tracey. He was the older of two children. He married Vera A. Smith in 1982 and she preceded him in death on December 6, 2017. John grew up on his family’s farm picking strawberries and milking the cow as a youth. His dad showed him how to hoe, and that’s when he knew he wanted to be a farmer. In 1957, after saving from jobs at Mathews Boat Co and Celotex, John purchased his own 50-acre fruit and vegetable farm on Hartshorn Rd. in Danbury township, which he operated full steam until just a few years ago, supplying local distributors and grocers. Even then after knee surgery, hip surgery and a fall, he could still be seen running the produce stand out front until his recent illness. He loved chatting about anything and everything with his customers. He especially enjoyed the little children that would tag along and run around. Their happiness made him happy. He was a well-known, colorful, and much-loved man. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau and a masterful trapper, still hunting muskrats up until a few years ago. John always had a good story to share and was willing to lend anyone a helping hand. He cherished his family, and people knew his two other loves: his faith, and farming. Oh, and dark chocolate! He was a man of great kindness and humility; his smile, candidness and familiar chuckle warmed your heart. John knew the importance of being strong in body, mind, and soul. Until his recent illness, he frequently walked a four-block radius around his neighborhood with his two canes, and completed 50 full squats, daily. John was known for his generosity, kind treatment of farm hands and an iron grip. He loved nature and always fed the neighborhood cat and skunk. He knew they too, were God’s creatures. John’s faith was his bulwark through good and tough times. He attributed his deep devotion to his faith to the Sisters at Saints Peter and Paul School in Sandusky where he attended as a youth, and to his parents and uncles. He prayed nightly for three hours for living and deceased friends, family, and even those he didn’t know. He contemplated each one, and his prayer list was several pages long containing over 500 names. You really knew you were blessed when you were on his list! He was devoted to Jesus and the Blessed Mother and walked to attend daily Mass at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church where he was an active member for many years. John was the seed that fell on good ground and lived life to lift people up. He cherished “his girls”, the many church ladies that would visit or check on him, push him to church in his wheelchair, or bring him Holy Communion daily after he was unable to attend Mass. He loved them dearly and enjoyed their conversations about life and faith. John loved to write letters of encouragement with faith filled advice to family members and friends. He was always looking out for their souls! He lived simply and had the biggest heart. Even as he endured many struggles with his health in his final year, his goal was still to lift people up! He would chuckle and say, “It makes me feel good too!” John served his country in the United States Army during World War II, in Graves Registration, moving the deceased bodies. His unit was responsible for all the beautiful cemeteries scattered around Europe. Surviving are his sons: Mike (Chong Leng Tan) Tracey of Illinois, Bill (Kim Johnson) Tracey of Port Clinton, John Tracey of Tiffin; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Vera, infant son: Robert Tracey and sister: Mary Lou Ross. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 3, 2022, from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Peninsula Chapel, 7755 E. Harbor Rd. Lakeside-Marblehead, OH. The Rosary will be recited in the funeral home at 7:30 pm Wednesday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Joseph Szybka at 10:30 am Thursday, August 4, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 822 Barclay St. Marblehead, OH where visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the time of the Mass. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Marblehead, OH. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com .