DETROIT — Fr. John Dunn was a “tremendous example of the priesthood,” said his seminary classmate Fr. Daniel Complo.
And having served in the U.S. Navy for five years during World War II before entering Sacred Heart Seminary College, he was a great example of mature manhood to his young classmates there.
“He was really good for us. Most of us were really young boys, whereas John was more mature than we were. Having him there helped us to start growing up,” Fr. Complo continued.
Then, after ordination, his wartime experience seemed to prepare Fr. Dunn to be a particularly caring and compassionate pastor, in his classmate’s opinion. “He dedicated his life to the priesthood, just as he had previously dedicated his life to serving his country,” he said.
Fr. Dunn died June 12. He was 89.
But there was another side to Fr. Dunn — a sense of humor that delighted his classmates from their seminary days to their gatherings as senior priests.
“He was always able to see some funny aspect of things, and make a remark that would evoke a hearty laugh from the rest of us. And even in later years, when he was in a wheelchair and we would all get together, right after prayers, he would say, ‘All right, we all have just five minutes to talk about our ailments and our pills, and that’s it,’” Fr. Complo recounted.
John Francis Patrick Dunn Jr. was born Dec. 28, 1922, in Mount Morris to John and Josephine Dunn. He attended Holy Name High School, Birmingham; and Sacred Heart Seminary High School, Detroit. After service in the U.S. Navy, he returned to Sacred Heart Seminary, to the college division, to study for the priesthood, and completed those studies at St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He later did post-graduate study at the University of Michigan.
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 5, 1954.
Fr. Dunn served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Farmington (1954-56); St. Joseph Parish, Wyandotte (1960-61); St. Rita Parish, Detroit (1961-66); and St. Christine Parish, Detroit (1966-70).
He was pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Imlay City (1970-95); after which he served for a time as administrator of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Allenton.
Fr. Dunn was granted senior priest status Sept. 1, 1995.
He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, George. He is survived by two brothers, Richard (Marjorie) and Charles; and by many nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated June 20 at Sacred Heart Church, Imlay City. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Imlay City.
Condolences may be sent to Richard Dunn, 7107 Medallion Drive, Lansing 48917.
