John Roger Maroevich
August 20, 1934 - February 15, 2013
John Roger Maroevich passed away Friday, February 15th after a brief illness at the age of 78 in Modesto. Born August 20, 1934 in Orange Cove California, he grew up in San Pedro, California of immigrant Croatian parents, Prudica Milasich and Rocco Maroevich. He served in the United States Coastguard during the Korean War followed by four years as a Los Angeles City fireman.
John felt the calling to serve his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and joined the Franciscan Order as a friar. Along with this spiritual touch, he worked as a carpenter repairing and restoring several California Missions. While in the Franciscan Order, he also worked for Self-Help Enterprises building homes for low income families and continued this work after seven years as a Franciscan Brother.
John married his wife of 41 years, Rosalie Massetti from Madera, and became father of two wonderful sons, Roy and Joe. He worked for several years at Our Lady of Fatima Church as maintenance man before retiring. He found new love through his grandchildren Alana and Gia. John was an avid fisherman, enjoying numerous fishing trips with his buddy Jack. He was truly concerned with his fellow man's well-being in living healthy lives. (3 John vs 2)
He is survived by his wife Rosalie, son Roy (Tracey), granddaughters, Alana and Gia; son Joseph, (Lisa), his niece Shirley (Erik) Weyker and their daughter Jackie; Step-brothers Marion and Tommy Fizulich. Preceded in death by his sister Jean, nephew Gary, parents Rocco Maroevich, Prudica and Mate Fizulich.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph Catholic Church, 1813 Oakdale Road, on Thursday, February 21st, at 10:30 am. Remembrances can be made in honor of John Maroevich to Marello Youth Retreat Center, 6530 Wells Ave. P.O. Box 547, Loomis CA 95650
Throughout his life, John never forgot the ways of St Francis, in that, the world takes second place to the things above; this is what he would truly like to be remembered for.
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Published in the Modesto Bee on February 20, 2013
