John Paul St. Marie

St. Marie, John Paul Age 74, Minneapolis. Passed away Aug. 17, 2018 in the company of family and friends. Born Apr. 25, 1944 in Bayport. Survived by Jula, his loving wife of 35 years, son Noah, 13, and nieces. John contracted polio at age 8, one year before the vaccine became available. It left him paralyzed from the neck down. At age 15 he successfully underwent a series of life-threatening spinal fusion surgeries at Gillette Children's Hospital to extend his life. Encouraged by family, teachers and classmates, he graduated from Stillwater HS, the Univ. of St. Thomas, and the U of M Law School. He practiced law until 2003, retiring because of the progressive effects of post-polio syndrome. John was known for his kindness, humor, perseverance and intelligence. He inspired countless friends, including many with disabilities, and was active in many causes for the disabled. In 1978, he co-founded Wilderness Inquiry, a nonprofit organization providing outdoor adventures for disabled persons of all ages and abilities. He helped found the United Handicapped Federation, which advocated for services for the disabled. He served on the Mpls Mayor's Comm. for Handicapped Access, the Met. Council Advisory Comm., which developed Metro Mobility, and was a board member of Accessible Space, Inc. which provides housing for the disabled in 31 states. John traveled in the U.S. Europe, and Asia. He was an ardent sports fan, and had season tickets to Gopher football and basketball games. He attributed his positive spirit to his early encouragement from parents, medical providers and teachers, and the love and support of his wife Jula, and son Noah. His doctor of nearly forty years, Scott Davies, observed that John lived decades longer than any person with his severity of polio, due to his determination and the support of family and friends. John's counsel to others was, "You never know how much you can do until you have to do it." He will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 30 from 1-4 pm at his home, 700 Fifth Ave. SE, Mpls. A light buffet will be served. Memorials preferred for the education of his son, Noah St. Marie.

Tributes

John Paul St. Marie

August 17, 2018

Tributes

John Paul St. Marie

August 17, 2018

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