John Baptista

John Baptista passed away Saturday morning, August 6th, 2022 in Vallejo CA, at the age of 94. He was the son of John and Ezira Baptista, born October 23, 1927, in Taunton, Massachusetts. John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and was later stationed at Mare Island in Vallejo. He married Estella Campas on July 24, 1949 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church. He was the father to John Edward and Karen Ann. Following his military duty, he worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a Machinist apprentice. He continued to climb the ladder becoming a Nuclear Inspector, Shop Planner, Progressman and a Ship Superintendent, before retiring in July 1983. John has always been a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, as well as a devoted member of the community, with a special passion for baseball. He was a member and President of the St. Basil Men’s club and he was Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He started a Pony League, baseball league and was the Vice President of the Babe Ruth League bringing 2 world series to Vallejo. He was a founding father of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Vallejo. John was also a teacher of CCD classes at St. Basil and St. Catherine’s. He was the House Manager of the American Legion Post 550 for over 30 years, and created many fund-raising opportunities including Bingo, Crab Feeds and New Year’s Eve parties. As Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus he developed an athlete of the week award for football for the Vallejo High Schools. While coaching Vallejo Babe Ruth he won 2 city championships and coached 6 different All-Star teams in State and regional playoffs. His greatest coaching experience was taking a little league team to play a series against our sister city in Akashi, Japan. It was an experience of a lifetime for coaches and players. He is survived by his wife Estella, his son John (Marci), daughter Karen, grandchildren Natalie and Johnny and his sister Alice Mazzoleni of Taunton, MA. A funeral mass for John will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church on Friday, August 12th at 12:30 p.m,. to be immediately followed by a committal service with military honors at All Souls Cemetery in Vallejo. Arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo (707) 552-6696. www.TwinChapelsMortuary.com

John Baptista

October 23, 1927 - August 6, 2022