John and his twin brother Frank were born in Rochester New York on June 24, 1910. John was in the first graduating class at Aquinas High School and went on to Saint Bonaventure University and received an architectural degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. During the war John went to work for Kodak and had three sons during this period, Peter, David and Daniel.
In 1959 John established Industrial Flooring Company, Inc. in Rochester New York. John was the president and his brother Frank managed the books with all three sons working for their father at one time or another.
John became a Connor dealer throughout the duration of his business and in 1963 began focusing primarily on gymnasium work. John continued his business in the hardwood sports flooring industry until his retirement when he dissolved his company in 1982. An impressive number of Connor maple floor installations can be found throughout the Rochester and Finger Lakes region as a result of the hard work and dedication of John DeClerck and his family.
John and his wife Louise were married for 65 years, and John would often tell of his Connor trips with Connor representative Hank Tank which included hunting and fishing, which he dearly loved. John was an active parishioner of St. Margaret Mary's in Rochester, an avid hunter, fisherman and accomplished downhill skier into his late 80's. John passed away on June 1, 2002 a few weeks shy of his 92nd birthday.