John Richard Holmquist

HOLMQUIST, John Richard Of San Gabriel, California and Kalispell, Montana passed away on August 11, 2006. He had been living at his summer home in Kalispell. John was born in Anaconda, MT on July 17, 1928. He moved to the Los Angeles area with his parents when he was five. The family made a home in Alhambra where John attended St. Therese Elementary School. Half way through the sixth grade John, his younger brother David, and his home sick parents moved to Valier, MT. A year and a half later the United States was drawn into World War II and the family returned to Alhambra. John finished at St. Therese, and then attended Cathedral High School. The war ended during his senior year. Subsequently, John graduated from Loyola University with a degree in Chemistry. During John's senior year he met Dolores Jeanne McDermott at a St. Therese Parish Avila Club function. He fell for her at first sight. He always said she was the one and only love of his life. John and Dolores married on February 16, 1952 and raised four sons, John, Thomas, Robert, and Christopher. Their sons and their wives, Lynn, Marlene, Ann, and Tricia gave John and Dolores 13 grandchildren, ten of whom they enjoyed together until Dolores' untimely passing on January 5, 1991. John's professional life took him from White King Soap, to Purex, to Alpha Pharmaceutical, to Borden Foods, and finally to retirement. John was an innovative engineer/designer with a number of original patents. As an avid private pilot he could often be found flying his Cessna over the Los Angeles basin. Now, after 15 years as a widower, John is with his beloved Dodie in heaven, where both are embraced in the benevolence of God. Services for John will begin with the recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2006 followed by Mass of the Resurrection at St. Therese Catholic Church, 510 N. El Molino St., Alhambra, CA 91801. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Please sign our online guest book at www.callananmortuaryservices.com Callanan Mortuary Directors (323) 462-2266