John F. LaBrecque, Sr.

Dixieland jazz pianist, artist, teacher, inventor and animal lover John F. LaBrecque, Sr. passed away December 9, 2018 at the age of 94. John was born in Alpena, Michigan to Ernest, and Helen, a Huron Indian who graduated from Adrian Academy with honors and a degree in music. He listened and learned by observing his mom play classics and jazz on the piano. Although unable to read music, John had an uncanny ability to play chords to match melodies by ear. At the age of 68, he decided to take lessons on how to read music at Gus Zoppi Music Center in Warren. When John was a young boy, the family moved to the east side of Detroit to the neighborhood around St. Jean and Vernor Hwy where he attended St. Rose catholic school. He went on to attend Southeastern High School where his piano playing, and artistic abilities got him invited to many house parties, picnics and proms. One of the high points of these years was being invited to sit in with Woody Herman's Band at the Book Cadillac Hotel during a D.S.R. dance. After graduating high school in 1943 he joined the Unites States Army Air Force where he was a radio operator and gunner. He flew on B-17 and B-29 bombers over Germany during WWII. During this time, he played at service clubs, officer's clubs, USO's and NCO clubs. He entertained his fellow soldiers with his ability to caricature them into humorous backgrounds and various situations. He achieved the rank of Sergeant in the 1077th AAF and received honorable discharge in 1946 with a victory medal, American theater ribbon and good conduct medal. After leaving the Air Force, John married Patricia Newberry and had four children. He worked as a commercial artist and draftsman at various art firms. Detroit Art, Creative Industries and Ford Tractor to name a few. He went on later to become a self-employed artist and musician. In the late 1970's he taught graphic and commercial art at Macomb College in Warren, Mi. John was one of the founding fathers of the Zug Island All-Stars who played many a gig in the Detroit area. As a Dixieland jazz boogie woogie player, he had the opportunity to play with numerous Dixieland jazz greats at Clinton Gables, Jude's Plantation, Grapevine, Lee's Imperial Tavern, Air Force Club of Windsor, Marge's, and many, many others. In his early 80's he formed the Zug Island Trio and played nursing homes and assisted living centers for the entertainment of the residents. John was entertaining folks playing boogie woogie as well as drawing and painting well into his early 90's. He was a proud member of the Detroit Federation of Musicians Local 5 and Greater Detroit Jazz Society. He was predeceased in death by his wife Patricia and daughter Yvonne Flynn. He is survived by his daughter Marie Ciarkowski, sons John LaBrecque, Jr.(Lori), Louis LaBrecque (Julie), and many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 pm until time of memorial service 7 pm at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd. (4 blocks E. of Woodward), Royal Oak. Memorials to Save the Wolves Foundation, ASPCA or St. Joseph’s Indian School (South Dakota) are appreciated.

John F. LaBrecque, Sr.

June 18, 1924 - December 9, 2018