JOHN FABRIE

1927 - 2016

John Fabrie, born March 27, 1927, in Kaatsheuvel, Holland, passed away at home on October 22,2016 in Bakersfield, California. John is survived by his loving wife Mary Fabrie, his two sons, Terry, his wife Kelly Fabrie and Richard, his wife Lisa Fabrie all of Bakersfield. His daughter, Rhonda Franklin, went home to be with the Lord in 1992. He is also survived by his granddaughters Tarrah Gentry, her husband Dale, and Rachelle Lozano, her husband Sean, both of Bakersfield; grandsons Joseph Fabrie, his wife Traci, of Fresno, Ca; Jason Fabrie, his wife Kirisa, of Bakersfield, Ca; Chris Fabrie, Colby Fabrie, his wife Katy, and Cyle Fabrie, his wife Alli, all of Edmond, Oklahoma; and his great-grandchildren Saylor and Reece Greer, Hunter and Holland Thorp, Tyler and Kaylee Lozano, Garrett and Wyatt Hildebrand, Easton and Ellie Fabrie.
John lived a life that was full in every sense of the word. As a young teen, he lived many years under the harsh conditions of the German occupation. After the liberation of Europe, John immediately joined the Dutch army and was sent to Indonesia where his squad was caught in an ambush, during which he was shot through the kidney and almost died. After his recovery, John returned home to Amsterdam and learned the skill of watch repair. Wanting to see the world, he moved to Brazil for two years and then was finally able to accomplish his dream of coming to the United States. After working in Chicago for a short time, he decided to move to California to be near his family who lived in Corcoran. In 1961, he accomplished another of his dreams by opening up a successful Jewelry store in Shafter that is still in business today, leaving a legacy of Fabrie Jewelers in Shafter and Bakersfield.
While in Shafter, John met Mary, who would prove to be the love of his life. They were soon married and had many wonderful years together. John loved his children very much, and patiently shared with them the skills he had learned many years earlier, allowing each of them to continue in the family business that proudly bears his name.
John loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved sharing his many stories with them and attending their sporting events. He loved traveling, taking cruises and golfing with family and friends. He was also able to take trips with his children and grandchildren to Amsterdam to share his birthplace with them.
John was a man who was known by many and truly loved by all. He will be missed in every sense of the word.
John's viewing will be held at Peters Funeral Home in Shafter on Thursday, October 27, 2016, from 4-8pm with Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Friday, October 28, 2016, at 10am, interment will follow at Shafter Memorial Park. Online guestbook is available at www.GoldenValleyMemorialCare.com