John Patrick Raleigh

John P. Raleigh, Sr. September 12, 1933 – February 2, 2024 Heaven was enriched February 2, 2024 when John P. Raleigh, Sr. peacefully passed from this life at his home in Berkley, Michigan surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Anna (Mahler) Raleigh, his son John Raleigh, Jr. (Jessica), his daughters Susan Raleigh Barnowski and Margaret Raleigh Koob (Douglas), and his four grandchildren, Kendra Barnowski, Lauren Koob, Ryan Koob, and Kevin Koob. John was born to Francis Raleigh and Eunice Devine on September 12, 1933 during the Great Depression. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan and attended Annunciation Catholic High School, where he lettered in basketball and baseball and served as class president. He was the ping pong champion of his local YMCA. John continued his education at the University of Detroit, where he earned a B.S., cum laude. After college, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two years in the Third Armored Division. John rose to the rank of Sergeant and was certified as a sharpshooter. He was stationed in Germany, and other than one anxious week in 1956 when the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia, John's military career comprised exploring the European continent with his army buddies and serving his country with his administrative skills. After his stint abroad, John took advantage of the G.I. Bill to matriculate at the University of Detroit Law School, where he was the editor in chief of the Law Review. John earned his juris doctor diploma in 1960. On October 8, 1960, John married the love of his life Anna R. Mahler. They celebrated sixty-three wonderful years together. John began his career as an attorney with the legal department of General Motors. He started as a litigation attorney for product liability cases and was later promoted to Assistant General Counsel in charge of appeals. John loved his work, and often expressed his astonishment that every week, someone would walk down the hall at the office and hand him a check for doing what he loved most. After thirty years, John retired from General Motors and joined the firm of Bowman & Brooke, of counsel. During his tenure there, he co-founded and was president of the Product Liability Advisory Council, a non-profit foundation that advocates for manufacturers in product liability civil law matters. Throughout his career, John was highly regarded for his scholarship and integrity. The words of his colleagues are a testament to his legacy: "John Raleigh is the conscience of the legal staff". ~ Elmer Johnson, General Motors General Counsel "Any credit that is due the General Counsel belongs to you and your associates. It is ability, dedication and loyalty that makes G.M. a great company." ~ Ross Malone, General Motors General Counsel "You are our visionary, prophet and conscience (in addition to great lawyering during the decades of tumultuous liability challenges)." ~ Michael Hoenig, Herzfeld Rubin P.C. (PLAC) "…congratulations on a job well done, both in the Foundation and for many years as the conscience and wise and innovative leader of the Council." ~ Joseph Lazaroff, AT&T attorney (PLAC) "I have developed a deep respect for your ability, and above all, your integrity." ~ Bill Oldani, General Motors, Assistant General Counsel "You were always a model of how the practice of law was meant to be handled." ~ Michael Millikin, General Motors General Counsel After retiring from the practice of law, John's life centered around family. He and Anna enjoyed trips to spend time with their children and their families, and shared memorable visits to Costa Rica, Germany, Ireland, Utah, and the Pacific Northwest. Their favorite escape was to leave the bleak Michigan winters behind and spend their days in the sunshine at their desert home in Scottsdale, Arizona. John had a great love of the English language, and he was an eloquent writer and speaker. He was an avid reader of spy novels, thrillers, biographies, and poetry. John was always available to help his children with writing assignments. He deserves credit for enriching the vocabularies of his children and grandchildren. One grandchild fondly recalls Pop Pop's "Word of the Day", and how she learned the meaning of such words as "beverage", "belligerent", and "compromise". Whether he was writing persuasive briefs or personal notes, or giving professional speeches or presentations to the HOA, John had a knack for finding exactly the right words for any occasion. John was also known for making the best popcorn in the neighborhood. "Pop Pop corn", as it was fondly named by his grandchildren, was usually enjoyed as a halftime treat while watching University of Michigan football games. John was fond of music, and subscribed to the philosophy that there is a song for every occasion. He could often be heard singing a favorite tune or whistling a greeting when he walked in the door. Music remained a valuable life connection in his later days, as he retained the memory of familiar lyrics and danced "cheek to cheek" to old Cole Porter tunes with his daughter. John will be remembered as a gentleman and a gentle man, patient, good humored and kind. John was preceded in death by his parents Francis & Eunice Raleigh, sisters Kathleen Monticello and Mary Ellen Carraway, and son-in-law Walter Barnowski. Arrangements: Visitation Friday, February 16, 2024 5:00 – 7:00 pm Prayer service 7:00 pm Military Honor ceremony following the prayer service Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to honor John’s memory. Capuchin Soup Kitchen, https://www.cskdetroit.org/ By mail: Capuchin Soup Kitchen Development Office, 1820 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207 Hospice of Michigan https://www.hom.org/ By phone: 1-(800)-669-9335

John Patrick Raleigh

September 12, 1933 - February 2, 2024