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Paul Dean posted a condolence
Sunday, January 1, 2023
When I was a graduate student on the way to becoming a Sociology professor, I had reached out to John to express my gratitude for his role in my own personal and professional journey. I hadn’t seen John for a handful of years, and I wanted to tell him of the impact he had on my life. His teaching introduced me to sociology and inspired me to a career in the field. More importantly, he helped me to understand my own life, his teaching touched my heart, and he inspired me to be a better person. I am so thankful I was able to tell him these things when he was alive, which led to us spending some wonderful time together, along with Rene and Tia (my wife, who had also taken courses with John).
One memory that sticks out was when Tia and I came into his classes wearing our punk rock t-shirts after a concert, and he rightly chastised us for not listening to Bruce Springsteen. Some years later we would eventually see the errors of our ways and came to love the working class wisdom of the Boss’s lyrics and music. John’s courses and sociology helped me to understand my own working class background and how society shapes us. His humor and storytelling could make the most abstract ideas relatable and simply laugh uncontrollably. To this day, I remember very specific lessons, videos, and jokes that he made because of his amazing teaching.
While I am posting this two years after John’s passing, I have been lucky to speak with Rene several times since his passing and share memories of John. Rene too is a wonderful person and my heart goes out to her, as well as my tremendous gratitude for her reaching out to Tia and I to share John’s work with us after his passing.
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Donna Snyder posted a condolence
Saturday, December 5, 2020
My sincerest condolences on your loss. Mr. Hearn was one of my professors at JCC. After having him for one class I did everything in my power to be in any of his classes during my search for higher education. I might add that this search didn’t start till I was in my 60’s. Professor Hearn was wonderful, highly educated, and had the ability to share his knowledge in a way that was not only informative but fun and interesting. He had a unique sense of humor that made his classes just that much more compelling. I’m sure his passing will leave a void in many of the hundreds of lives he touched. I know that I am one of those many. May you find comfort in your memories and the love that must surely surround your family. Donna Snyder, former student
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Brian Phillips posted a condolence
Saturday, December 5, 2020
I had the pleasure of knowing John Hearn at JCC and reconnecting with him in retirement through his beautiful wife Renee whom I worked with in health care. John blessed us with grace and the ability to tell a great story of life. John touched our hearts deeply but we are the beneficiaries of a truly great teacher of life. Rest In Peace my friend. I’m blessed for crossing your path.
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Anne Luce posted a condolence
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Those who had the good fortune of knowing and working alongside John, will always remember with admiration and appreciation his unique sense of humor, his valuable insight, and his sincere dedication to his profession, students, colleagues, and friends. I, for one, am honored to be numbered among them.
Rest in peace John. You will be deeply missed.
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Debbra Beach posted a condolence
Saturday, December 5, 2020
I remember John Hearn well, he was my professor at JCC. He always left a lasting impression on me. His way of teaching a classroom was so easy to be in. As a older student I was always thought it would be hard, not in his class. He always made me feel that I belonged. He made me laugh, and cry for all the right reasons. I learned a lot that helped me through my whole life. His compassion for the world was wonderful, the stories, the love. My sincere thoughts are with his family. We his students loved him.
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Tara and Scott Strong posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
My husband and I both had the pleasure and privilege to have taken classes with John. We often reflect and share with our children the gift he had in delivering a lesson through story and humor. The world has lost a steady and bright light, but it will shine on in all that he has touched.
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Rhonda LaMancuso posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
My sincere condolences to Rene & the rest of the Hearn family. I took several of John’s classes while at JCC & he definitely made learning fun. I know he will be missed.
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Eric Layton posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
Sincere condolences to John's family and friends. He was an amazing person, and will always be fondly remembered.
I met and got to know John in 1989, at first by necessity as he was my college advisor at JCC. His academic guidance and mentorship were quite helpful, but we also struck up a rapport and a friendship, based on a mutual passion for popular music. Among the many artists we discussed, John espoused the brilliance of Sinead O'Connor and other Irish artists, and also recommended the Neville Brothers to me. We even attended some concerts together (Neil Young, Paul Simon among them). His friendship and guidance meant the world to me, and his generosity with his time, despite being a busy college professor, is even more admirable in hindsight.
At the start of my journey at JCC, it was so encouraging and helpful to me to have a college advisor and instructor I could relate to. But of course, that was one of John's most notable gifts, to draw his students and classes in with knowledge and his unmatched humor. Anyone that took his classes should consider themselves lucky to have experienced that sociological adventure.
Others have shared how entertaining and unorthodox John was in a classroom setting, and I can concur; vivid stories and recollections of his unparalleled lectures endure, and will be recounted for years. His was a singular approach, punctuated with laughs, and no other higher education experience was quite like it. Enlightenment was attained, with a sidecar of mirth.
The comedic dynamics of his classroom aside, John's inherent goodness was evident to all who knew him. His willingness to help, just listen, or give advice is something about him I will always remember. The encouragement and sympathetic ear he extended to me as a kid navigating school and life... I'll forever appreciate that.
The sheer number of lives touched by John Hearn is great, yet remains unquantifiable, because his good deeds and shared knowledge resonate not only through the individuals he knew directly, but through their own actions, based on his dignified example.
He will be missed.
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Alexandra posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
John Hearn was my all time favorite instructor throughout six years of college at various schools. He was the funniest person I had ever met and the memories from his classes make me laugh years later. I appreciate everything I learned from him and all the laughs.
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Tim Bastian posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
John Hearn rates as my #1 favorite professor. I finished an undergraduate degree after JCC and two masters degrees. He's also my role model for teaching undergrads today. He made a personal connection to everyone in his class. His first semester at JCC was also my first semester there. My buddy Frank Fonti and I took him out for a beer(s) after the night class final exam. We also got him to play intramural basketball with us.....he was GOOD! He would later tell a story about playing his first game with us and then "going home to sleep....for 16 straight hours!"
Some of you may know this, but for those who don't, John co-authored a fantastic book a few years back with Chautauqua County native Jessica Goodell, PhD. It's called, "Shade it Black". It's a personal account of Dr Goodell's experience with PTSD after her time as a US Marine serving in mortuary services. If you know a vet with PTSD or would like to understand it better, get this book. I've given it as gift a number of times.
When I read the book I immediately contacted him (probably 32 years from the time I had graduated from JCC). Not only did he thank me for the email and positive feedback on the book, he recalled the same details I mentioned above, and even included a question about which prison Frank was in (he's not, he just finished a very successful career as a special ed teacher). That's John Hearn!
I miss him already.
God bless John Hearn.
Tim Bastian
JCC '83
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Charles J. Holder lit a candle
Friday, December 4, 2020
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Condolences to the entire Hearn family. John will always be remembered a great person with compassion to all. I enjoyed being a guest lecturer for some of his classes. You will be missed my friend.
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A tree was planted in memory of John Hearn
Friday, December 4, 2020
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Dan Callahan posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
As an English teacher, I was John’s colleague for the first thirty of his thirty-five years. Faculty at JCC have obligations outside the classroom, including attending meetings of the whole faculty as well as committees such as Financial Aid and Curriculum. Teachers talk for a living, so after a while it becomes clear that some talk to help the committee make its way through the issue at hand, some to defend an interest, some to strike a pose, some apparently because they thought the earth had a wasteful excess of oxygen. Then there were those who listened long and hard before they spoke, who were in command of the facts, who considered first and last the interests of students, who could take a college-wide perspective, and whose comments, whether pro or con, always moved the discussion forward. In my thirty years at JCC, I couldn’t use up ten fingers counting people like that. John is in my top five.
John was a first-rate writer. He wrote clear-eyed essays about his own family, and he assisted an Iraq-war vet to publish an account of her experiences. He was funny in all the ways smart people can be funny—quick with a quip, fond of irony, missing no opportunity to make fun of himself.
It's very moving and satisfying to read his students' appreciations of his unconventional ways of getting them outside themselves and their previously settled knowledge.
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A tree was planted in memory of John Hearn
Friday, December 4, 2020
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Cheryl lit a candle
Friday, December 4, 2020
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John was the best! I returned to school as an older student, stuck out like an eyesore dressed from work and really ready to learn and obtain my degree, he addressed me immediately and picked at me every class. I was starting my educational journey with a family and all that goes with it, but he helped me feel welcomed and motivated to continue. One of our conversations in his office he was making fun of me because I was worried about a 98% - thank God he set me straight and helped me learn to give myself grace without that I might have gave up. He knew it wasn't going to be easy.
I was still on my educational journey when we had our 3rd child, we received a gift in the mail from John. Welcoming her and encouraging us as parents. That gift meant more to me then he'd ever know.
His classes were so amazing. I learned so much but I laughed and enjoyed every minute. His routines were the best - one of my favorites is when he would blab on until he knew every student was really listening to him and then all the stuff he was saying was junk - ugh. I wanted my notebooks so neat! lol. The Amish bit too - Lordy such good memories.
Bless you John - rest in peace.
My sincerely sympathy to his family.
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Craig WarnshuisDyhhf posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
John was hands down the best teacher I had at JCC. He would challenge you, keep you entertained and truly cared about his student’s success. I was lucky enough to see John a few times later in life and it brought back great memories.
My heart goes out to his family, he surely will be missed.
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Jim Berlin posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
I first met John in 1982. My wife, Linda, was taking his course (we had just moved to Jamestown from Buffalo) and she says “you and Doug have to meet this guy”. So, we invite him over to Doug’s house on Price St to shoot some hoops in the backyard. He shows up (John had been a stud basketball player back in Fall River, Mass. I never could beat him one on one) but before we start he says, “I have to tell you guys something. I have this condition. It’s called athletic asthma”. So we say, “ok, no biggie” and start to play. John got out of breath a bit and was not keeping up. Doug, in his inimitable style, turns to him and says: “Athletic asthma? I think you’re just out of shape!”
Thus started a nearly 40 year relationship where John became my closest friend (we met every Sunday for an hour at his office for @30 years. Please note—he was IN HIS OFFICE every Sunday morning working). We became each others’ confidant and “counselor”. Never with any set agenda, but the hour always went by too fast while we helped Sherpa one another through life and its ups and downs. He was there from my truck driving days, for my kids, for my brother, and for me, all through my life changes working for a trucking company, helping me write screenplays, through my attempt to start an online betting site (Jim Cash—the Bettor’s Edge) and then trying to figure out how to become a successful business guy. (I tried to help him as well and am honored to have played at least one small part in his incredible book “Shade it Black” (read it if you want to see some of the best writing you’ll ever experience). Anyway, too many stories to tell. I will miss him every day. My love to his wonderful wife, Rene. John, I’ll save a beer or two for you from the truck when it finally gets here for me too. Thanks for everything you did for me and for Linda and Melissa and Derek. I love you, brother. JB
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Bruce Moore posted a condolence
Friday, December 4, 2020
Rene, I am so sorry to read about your husbands passing. Praying for peace and comfort in the days to coming.
Fondly,
Bruce Moore
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Rob Schultz lit a candle
Thursday, December 3, 2020
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John was my professor at J.C.C. in 1984/85 and later became one of the best friends a person could ever have. I know of his life growing up in Fall River Mass. and the tremendous love he had for Family & Friends. An Amazing teacher with a sense of humor that was like no other. He would do anything in his power for the people he cared for. He looked up to his big brother Frank, looked out for his little brother Billy and worshiped his beautiful sister Mary. John was very proud of his Irish heritage and appreciated everything he earned in life. There will never be a more loyal person. Thank you John for being such an asset to the Jamestown Community. Everyone who was lucky enough to know you is better because of it. Rest in Peace my Friend. You are truly one of a kind.
Sincerely,
Rob Schultz
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TD lit a candle
Thursday, December 3, 2020
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Professor Hearn will be well remembered.
He was the professor of my first class on the first day of college. He told us that he had one rule, you couldn’t wear shoes without socks. So if you wore sandals you had to bring a spare pair of socks or he’d have a leftover pair from the lost and found for you to put on. I think half of us believed him and mentally made a note to never wear sandals to school. But there was one student who showed up at the next class in flip flops with socks on. He pointed it out and said “there is always one that believes me, I feel terrible now. I don’t care what you wear, wear parachute pants to class, as long as you’re here”! He was a funny man and a well respected professor.
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Carl and Robin Midddleton planted a tree in memory of John Hearn
Thursday, December 3, 2020
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John was a kind and caring friend , an inestimable wit and intellect - an original. He will be sorely missed!
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Karrie Olmstead posted a condolence
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Where does one begin when it comes to John Hearn. His accent used to captivate me. His lessons were funny but so thorough. I loved his class and really enjoyed him as a person.
My sincerest condolences to his family. The world lost a great man! I hope you can take solace in knowing he positively affected countless people.
He'll never be forgotten.
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Dan Shields posted a condolence
Thursday, December 3, 2020
"Good morning class, this is Life Science with me, Jackie McNanamara"
He would say to us on the first day of Sociology class as we all looked at each other thinking we were in the wrong room. After that moment I took several of his courses, Marriage & Family being my absolute favorite.
Man, was this guy funny! He challenged you while still making a lasting impression with his wit and crafty language. John would be deep into lecture and somehow transition to "You know something kids, I love that Judge Judy because she's always right. I know Dan there does too, because he Tweeted me after the new episode last night" as he pointed at me. I laughed about that for days, but realized too, it was his way of keeping us all engaged. Well done!
My other personal favorite was him talking about a local venue and he said "So let's just say a girl who likes to have sex a lot went to a rat infested, diseased bar on Second Street--I think you kids know which bar I'm referring to and the girl, since she's in this very class room" and we would all stare at who we thought he was talking about! I still think about this and it makes me laugh on my boring drives to work!
I will miss this man and feel sympathy for his wife, close family, and those new college kids that will never get to experience one of his lectures.
Rest in peace, "Jackie".
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Megan Lundgren posted a condolence
Thursday, December 3, 2020
I was a student of John's at JCC. He was a captivating and memorable teacher, mostly because he knew how to keep everyone's attention and make everything relatable. I remember being excited to get to class and hear his latest comedy routine. You never quite knew what to believe...I will admit, I didn't wear open-toed shoes for the first couple weeks of class (those of you that had him will understand).
On a serious note, I'd like to offer heartfelt condolences to John's family. He certainly made an impact on many!
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Jake Schrantz posted a condolence
Thursday, December 3, 2020
My first day of class in John’s sociology class was the absolute best!! He had us go around the room and introduce ourselves, followed by funny comments by John which you might experience from a standup comic if at the comedy club. In that class, he introduced me to a fellow classmate who shortly after that became my girlfriend and later wife of 31 years and counting. Every time we saw John he proudly and rightly so, took credit for his “matchmaker” abilities. Saying we were his “longest running couple”. John taught us valuable life skills while making the lesson funny and relevant. John made you WANT to come to class and participate with an open mind. Our deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends. Jake and Nora (Stronz) Schrantz
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Doug Berlin lit a candle
Thursday, December 3, 2020
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Dear Rene’.....really nothing to say. We are relieved but heartbroken. Love, Doug and Family
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Jeff Keppel posted a condolence
Thursday, December 3, 2020
I took every class he taught. Every day with him teaching was an adventure and a great experience .He is one of my most memorable teachers.
Jeff Keppel
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Patrick Russell posted a condolence
Thursday, December 3, 2020
John was one of the greatest teachers I ever had. Not only did he provide you with academic lessons, but also taught you about life at the same time. We shared many memories after my graduation from JCC that will always be cherished!!! Rest in peace friend.....
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Nancy Gallets lit a candle
Thursday, December 3, 2020
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I will never forget the first day at JCC in John's class - "I am Jackie McNanamara..." he began - it scared me shitless that I must be in the wrong class and almost every person in the room froze but no one dared say anything! John was one of my favorite teachers. He kept you on your toes and challenged you to think more deeply and examine other perspectives. His humor brought fun to his classes and he knew his stuff backwards and forwards. I still often refer to the lessons I learned in his classes. My hats off to you, Mr. Hearn, a wonderful teacher and a man of integrity. May you fly with the angels, I know you'll have them laughing and learning at the same time. My deepest condolences to all John's family and friends. With the greatest respect and highest regards,
Nancy Gallets
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Julie lit a candle
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
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One of the most memorable educators at JCC. May God bless his family and loved ones.
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