The Passing of Danny Janes,
Dan James – CueMaker
As I am sure some of you already know, Danny Janes, the founder of Joss Cues, has recently passed away. He was a great friend to me and all of us!! He will surely be missed by all. Please read the message from his family below.
As many of our friends, colleagues, and customers know Dan Janes has passed away. We lost our dear Dan on June 20, 2023.
Dan’s life passion was for making the best cue possible. Throughout his career he had a lifelong quest to continually improve methods, materials, and aesthetics of the Joss Cue while insuring they had the best, solid play possible. Dan, Debbie, and Stephen would sit for hours and plan the approach to perfect a certain technique. The goal always to make the best playing, well-built cues with a range of price points. All cues being equal only some had more inlays or veneers. The play, the same!
And if you wanted to talk to Dan about almost anything, especially cues, he would talk with you. Many people were surprised when it was Dan who answered the phone. He spent many hours with customers creating their image of the perfect cue. He was an inspiration to other cue makers and would spend hours discussing methods, ideas and strategies. Dan shared his knowledge and his many, many pool, life stories. He was a special man.
Dan began his life’s cue making journey in a small garage in an area of Baltimore known as Hampden in 1967. Later in 1975 the business was moved to a new industrial park in Towson where Joss still resides. By his side his wife Debbie and son Stephen helped grow the business. Debbie and Stephen will still run the business and will continue to craft the same superior quality Joss Cue that we have been making since 1967. Dan made sure that Debbie and Stephen were ready for this transition. We have been there every day beside Dan. Stephen has helped the business evolve with his own innovative advances and stands behind every cue he crafts. He has been managing the shop for 44 years. We will carry on the tradition of making quality customized Joss Cues.
Dan will be missed immensely by his family. His daughters Amanda Janes, Kim Moreau and other son Mark Janes are heartbroken.
He is also survived by grandsons, a granddaughter, and great-grandchildren.
The pool world has lost a great man of the sport!
We are saddened.
