August 07, 1950 - May 05, 2010

He loved people, and taking care of them was an expression of who he was.

May 5, 2010 was the end of his courageous journey with Multiple Myeloma. An illness he faced with great determination, integrity, and grace. At the end John was surrounded by his family and friends just as he was in life.

Born in Oneonta, NY. He attended SUNY College at Delhi School of Technology. He worked as a Dental Equipment Repair Specialist.

John met Colleen, fell in love and relocated to the Pacific Northwest where they settled in Seattle.

John loved people. He was great at developing meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. He traveled through the world making lasting friendships. John was a loving husband. He was a devoted father that supported and encouraged Miranda and Brandon in all aspects of life.

John’s lead a rich life filled with love, hope, family and friends. This is how he will always be remembered. We will all miss him and our lives are better because he touched our hearts and soul.

He is survived by his devoted wife Colleen McKeown Lance; daughter, Miranda (NY); son, Brandon (WA); father, John Sr. (Darlene) (NY); mother, Rosland (FL); brothers: Tony and Todd (NY); sisters: Cheryl and Rhonda (FL) as well as nieces and nephews and many other adoring family members and friends.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

We will celebrate John's life on Monday May 10, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Graham Visitor Center at the Washington Park Arboretum. Please join us to celebrate and toast to John. Directions are posted below.

DONATIONS

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in John’s name to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Memorial

A Good Life

When we are gone, and people weep
for us and grieve, let it be because we
touched their lives with beauty and simplicity.
Let it not be said that life was good to us,
but, rather, we were good to life

Jacob P. Rudin

Love is life

Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.

Leo Tolstoy