John V. Motto

Was born to Victor and Mary DeAngelis Motto in 1925 in Utica, NY, into a Catholic Italian/American family. At age 16, he graduated from Proctor High School and left his home, parents, and 6 siblings--Rose Agley (D), Rock (Rita) Motto (D), Margaret (Charles) Magistro (D), Bud (Rita) Motto (D), Joseph Motto (AKA Boom Boom Brannigan) (D), and Butch (Mary) Motto, to train at General Motors Institute in Detroit, Michigan. At 18, he was drafted into the army to serve in WWII. He spent most of his military career in Honolulu, Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. After the war, he returned to Detroit, where he met his wife of 57 years, Rhea Yates (D). John and Rhea had 6 children: Jeff, William (D), David, Anthony (D), Mary Ann (D), and Theresa (Terri). John had a long career in automotive engineering and sales in south central and eastern Michigan, at companies including General Motors, Harley Earl, Bohn Aluminum and Brass, Hayes Albion, and Harvard Industries.

Family, faith, and friendship were his highest priorities. Some of his favorite memories/activities were golfing, exercising at JCC, playing cribbage, woodworking, being involved in St. Mary's church and the Knights of Columbus, and trips to Utica/Rome NY, Indiana, Florida (including Disney World!), California, Washington state, and Miley's Resort in northern Michigan.

He was always optimistic, often saying "keep smiling". He made friends everywhere he went, loved to sing, had a great sense of humor, and was quite the social butterfly until dementia set in, in his 90s. Thankfully, he was able to celebrate his 90th birthday with about 100 of his closest friends, before the disease stole much of his speech, functioning, and memory. As the disease progressed, he was lovingly cared for in his home by his son David, daughter Terri, and caregivers from agencies including Elder Care, Comfort Keepers, ComForCare (shout out to Paul for being such a great helper), and Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice.

He is survived by his brother Butch (Mary) Motto of Utica NY, son Jeff (Marissa) Motto of Clinton Washington, son David Motto of Jackson Michigan, daughter Terri Motto of Jackson Michigan, 5 grandchildren: Hunter Motto of Seattle Washington, Kelsey (Scott) Delack of Tonasket Washington, Tristan Motto of Seattle Washington, Nevin Raup of Williamsport Pennsylvania, and Samantha Raup of New Haven Connecticut, plus one great-granddaughter Elanora Delack of Tonasket Washington, along with multiple nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church with Fr. Tyler Arens officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please honor John's memory by doing an act of kindness and thinking of him: speak to a stranger, spend some time with someone who is alone or lonely, or anything else you can think of. Contributions may be made in his name to St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice, or ComForCare Home Health Agency.