John F. Lavezzo

JOHN F. LAVEZZO August 31, 1924 – September 23, 2011 John F. Lavezzo of Vallejo died at home in the presence of his family on September 23, 2011. He was 87. A distinguished businessman, avid golfer and, above all, beloved father and grandfather, John will be remembered always for his generosity, integrity and humility. John was a lifetime Vallejoan who always maintained his love for his city. He was born on August 31st, 1924, to pioneer truck farmer Eugene Lavezzo and the incomparable Italian cook Marie Lavezzo. He graduated from Vallejo High School and finished an apprenticeship in electrical engineering at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. John served his country in the South Pacific during World War II and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. After the war John built his own business, Lavezzo’s Hardware Palace, which he owned and operated for nearly forty years, from 1948 to 1986. In 1963, at Old Saint Mary’s Center in Chinatown, he met the love of his life, Mary Mullan, who had moved from London to San Francisco to work as an R.N. On April 4, 1964 he married Mary and upon retirement enjoyed traveling with her, especially to Yosemite and Kauai, where they honeymooned. John embraced every minute of his life, and loved deer hunting, fishing, playing bocce, doing the daily crossword, reading biographies, making polenta and risotto, and of course hitting the links. A prominent member of his community, John helped found Surety Federal Savings Bank (now First Bank). He served on the Board of Directors at St. Patrick’s High School, and contributed to its expansion during the 1980s. John servedREP on the Solano County Grand Jury and was a longstanding member of the Vallejo Elks Lodge #559, the Napa Italian Catholic Federation Branch 12, the Rotary Club of Vallejo, and the Sons of Italy Virgilio Lodge #1586. John will be greatly missed by his wife Mary; his three children, Kathy, John and Michael; his son-in-law Harry; his daughter-in-law Sarah; his brother Albert; and his grandchildren, Daniel, Anthony, Shane, Nina, and Callum. Visitation will be held 3-9 p.m. Wednesday, September 28th with a vigil service and rosary service to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo. Celebration of the Mass will be held at 11:00 am Thursday September 29th at St. Basil’s Catholic Church, 1230 Nebraska St., Vallejo. Entombment will follow at All Souls Catholic Cemetery, Vallejo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to the Leukemia Society of America or St. Patrick’s-St. Vincent’s High School Scholarship Fund. Please visit the online tribute at TwinChapelsMortuary.com (707) 552-6696.

John F. Lavezzo

August 31, 1924 - September 23, 2011