In Loving Memory
Our Dear Friend John Surr
Child Advocate and Peace Activist
By Craig Simpson
Our dear friend John Surr passed on just when we were putting out our October newsletter. We were patiently waiting for his Action Alerts section to P.E.A.C.E. News. It is hard to believe he is no longer here in our little P.E.A.C.E. world community.
John was one of our best. Others were Peggy Schirmer, Sunny Wallick, Chris Lamm who were all teachers and educators. John was not one of that elite group; instead, he was a lawyer — an International Monetary Fund (IMF) lawyer. But he was so much more… After he retired, he became a fierce advocate for children — he lived right outside of Washington D.C. and campaigned for children as a volunteer with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). He volunteered after Hurricane Katrina to set up temporary child care in New Orleans, Louisiana. He went to the border towns to help with centers for migrant children. He was a Quaker, a loving husband, father and grandfather and a good tour guide and host when CEASE/P.E.A.C.E. people came to D.C. for public policy forums and national conferences.
I’m not sure when he joined our early days as CEASE, Peggy Schirmer must have recruited him. This was in the days when Susan Hopkins and Lucy Stroock had been drawn to our group. I had already moved to New England from New Mexico. It was when CEASE had an all-day pre-conference workshop at the NAEYC and Diane Levin and Nancy Carlsson-Paige were drawing huge crowds (now we have one or two workshops per conference — then we filled large rooms and spread wide reaches with our peace education for young children’s messages).
John came to almost every retreat — East coast at Peggy’s house on Cape Cod or out to Susan’s house in the Sierra Nevadas. I know this because John was one of the few men besides myself that were part of CEASE and later P.E.A.C.E. (except for the wonderful husbands Boone Schirmer, Frank Smith, Bill Dorman, Tom Hopkins, Doug Klein). Of course, Patrick Romero was an exception, teacher and husband of a teacher.
John was my regular roommate at most events: NAEYC conferences and CEASE/P.E.A.C.E. retreats. He used his lawyer skills to remodel our by-laws, he was always talking and organizing. He always knew where we should eat and stay at the national conferences. One year in Chicago, he found a home a block from the conference center which played Italian opera music all night while some of us slept on the floor. John had many talents. He supported men in child care and helped give out the peace award to Ed Klugman and Walter Drew as well as male ally, Francis Mano Carlson. But I digress.
He also knew so many people. He moved within all the circles of power in the early education field. Wearing his Grateful Dead tie dye shirt under his formal tie and jacket and the smile on his face.
John gave so much to our group and was a positive and steady voice. We will certainly miss him.
Our Dear Friend John
I attended the NAEYC Conference: Public Policy Committees during the 1980’s and 1990’s. John sat quietly and me too studying the current issues. We never spoke to each other or introduced ourselves. When I joined CEASE/P.E.A.C.E. in 2006 I again attended the NAEYC Conference Public Policy Committee in Washington D.C. and I was invited to dinner at John’s house with other members who were also invited. He was introduced to me and offered to drive me to his house. I finally recognized him, John Surr, who was sitting at the Committees in his dark suit! We all had a wonderful time meeting his wife and became friends.
A wonderful friend with true commitment to justice and support for our children and their families. Yes, he always provided the action alerts for us to make our voices heard and supported related issues for peace everywhere. His smile and friendship were constant and he will be missed. At the P.E.A.C.E retreats his bright colored shirts were very delightful!
My husband Bill and I greatly enjoyed John and his wife, Rauna. They welcomed us several times to their home.
Love to all! Pat Dorman, Public Policy
Oh, my… the end of an era… my heart just aches!
Attached is a favorite photo I have on my desk all the time. Please friends, lets’ share our memories of this good man!!! Blessings,
Susan Hopkins
The world stood still for a moment when I read that John died.
His compassion for peace and justice, his insight and his calm nature will be remembered within P.E.A.C.E. John was instrumental in achieving P.E.A.C.E.’s corporation and non-profit status when I became the treasurer. I will be forever indebted to his wisdom and guidance in that chapter of our organization.
With profound sympathy,
Fran Roznowski
Time paused for me as well when I learned that John died. I knew him mostly through the P.E.A.C.E. newsletter’s monthly editorial meetings over Zoom – and before that on conference calls that John set up for the meetings. I knew him as the person who wrote most of the Action Alerts, and from whom I took over the job of electronically laying out and distributing the newsletter. And he was someone who, like me, sometimes had strong editing opinions — which left me grateful, knowing it was ok to have strong editing opinions. He went out of his way to make me feel not only that I was valued as a contributor to the editorial process, but that I was… welcome and embraced. That’s not at all usual for most freelancers and contract workers.
I’ll miss you, John!
Angela Davis
John’s quiet and steadfast presence at every conference, protest, meeting, and behind the scenes hard work gave so much strength and inspiration to our collective efforts to create a more peaceful world for young children.
Thank you, John. RIP.
Nancy Carlsson-Paige
Sooo sad. He was a wonderful man who contributed sooo much to peace/truce, children and the world.
Diane Levin
My own experience in returning to CEASE as it was when I was at an NAEYC conference in Washington was inspired by John, CEASE honoured Peggy by inviting Audrey, her daughter, and Danielle, her granddaughter. John’s presence was refreshing as a non-educator, a lawyer who was thoroughly schooled in the importance of early childhood education. John’s quiet and steady presence was admirable and inspiring.
Yours, Carole
I joined P.E.A.C.E. around 2015, and soon afterward I became a member of the newsletter committee, which was led by John Surr and Lucy Stroock. I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with John over the past decade as he grew to become my mentor, colleague, and friend. After all, you can’t go wrong with someone who wears a tie-dye shirt underneath his suit!
Over the years, John taught me the value of commitment and helped me see volunteering for P.E.A.C.E. not just as service, but as a responsibility we carry throughout our lives. As our mission statement says, “to make the world a more peaceful, safe, and welcoming place for everyone.”
Thank you, John, for your years of mentorship and for leading the newsletter through your monthly Action Alerts. I will deeply miss your guidance, wisdom, and friendship.
Karin Pavelek
Oh no! Such sad, sad news. John was a legend and a critically important part of all our work for young children — Frances M. Carlson
May we continue to call his name. Rest-in-Power Bro. John! — Rodney West
I’m sorry to hear of his passing! I have fond memories of him at the CEASE retreats on the Cape — Heidi Smith
I am so sorry to hear this. Such a force — Marie Enochty
We have all lost a beloved friend and Peacemaker. From CEASE to P.E.A.C.E. he gave so much and lived the dream. We were blessed in his presence. Love and PEACE — Irene Lipshin
Thank you for sharing this very sad news. Sending so much love to you all and to his family— Jenn Jahnavi Broward
A great role model of a caring effective advocate — Fran Chasen
I’m so sorry to hear this. I worked with John around early childhood initiatives in Virginia and he was such a dedicated advocate. My sincere condolences — Gail Esterman
