James J. Haar

James Joseph Haar, age 97 of Plymouth passed away on July 1, 2020 (Canada Day)! He died during the coronavirus pandemic having contracted the virus, survived, but he was devastatingly weakened by the isolation of quarantine and the virus itself.

He was born on February 24, 1923 to Kathern (Harrington) and James Haar in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. His beloved wife, Jean preceded him in death on April 26, 2012 after 67 years of marriage. His brothers, Frank and Jerome and his great-grandsons, Daniel and Guy Villet also pre-deceased him.

Jim married Jean Catherine Thomas on June 9, 1945. Jean and Jim moved to Detroit in 1946 from Canada and became American citizens in 1954. They raised five children – Ann Greskowiak, Susan Burnidge (Duane), Jim Haar, Jr. (Sue), Jeannie Rutherford (Don), and Tom Haar (Kelly). He will be missed by his 11 grandchildren – Denise Greskowiak Brown (Kurt), Jeffrey Greskowiak (Sarah), Brian Greskowiak, Guy Villet (Angela), Amy Villet, Steven Rapson, Zachary Haar (fiancée, Kim), Kate Rutherford, Matthew Haar, Michael Haar (Alicia), Lindsay Umphrey (Matt), and by his great-grandchildren, Madison and Hudson Greskowiak, Ava and Stella Villet, Jaxon Fair, Charlotte and Finley Umphrey and Elowen Haar.

After their move to Detroit, Jim and Jean were members of three parishes – Our Lady Gate of Heaven in Detroit, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, and St. Kenneth in Plymouth. Jim was an usher in all three parishes, a volunteer in many other services, but his passion was being a very active participant of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He attended Mass every day until he was not able. He had great devotion to our Blessed Mother and said the rosary several times a day. He also had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

After his retirement from a very successful career with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Jim and Jean enjoyed many winters with family and friends in Englewood, Florida. They also enjoyed playing cards with their beloved friends from the Plymouth Township Friendship Station. Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage, and was known to sing his favorite, “Clancy’s Wooden Wedding” on occasion.

Jim’s faith and his family were his life. He will be in the hearts of his devoted family forever.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 6, 2020. Jim will be in-state from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass at 11:00 A.M. at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth. He will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth.

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed from the Church on the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home website. Please click on the Tribute Wall tab above at 10:55 A.M. to begin viewing the Funeral Mass.

Please be advised that in observance of the governmental order from the State of Michigan, when in attendance at the Funeral Mass, we kindly ask for the safety and well-being of the families we serve and for your health, that everyone practices social distancing and consideration for other guests in attendance.

Those who wish to honor the memory of James J. Haar are invited to consider a contribution to St. Vincent DePaul, 3000 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.