John Canepa, a leading figure in Grand Rapids revitalization movement, served for many years on the Board of the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, which is managed today by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. DGRI Board Chair Kayem Dunn served on the DDA with Mr. Canepa and today issued the following statement:

“John Canepa was a man of good judgement and sound advice but more important, he was the most egalitarian person I have ever known. He didn’t talk about his belief in human equality. He simply lived it and that informed all of his work in the community.

His contributions to this community are vast and I believe he engaged in so many, wide ranging efforts not for the glory but because he truly enjoyed playing a part in making good things happen. We will honor his memory by rededicating ourselves to continuing the city building work he loved so much.”