John Archie Tyler Jr.

1927 - 2016

John Archie Tyler, Jr.
March 18, 1927 - October 27, 2016
San Leandro
John Archie Tyler (Jack to his childhood family, Arch to everyone else) was born in Chico, California, to John and Madeleine (Haack) Tyler. His parents were native Californians—his father dapper and naturally friendly, his mother conscientious and gentile. His family moved often because of his father's job, mostly to cities in Northern California except for Arch's high school years in Bakersfield. He referred to the moves as his "toughest lesson in life," but said they also taught him to cope with different situations and people and "to take things as they come."
Arch enlisted in the Navy during WWII: unlucky in that he got seasick a lot, but very lucky in that the war ended just as the destroyer he was aboard neared Japan to spearhead the invasion.
Arch's life path, after graduating from USF in 1950, was set soon thereafter. He married Paula Joan Correnti, a young nurse from Philadelphia who had moved to Alameda and to whom he remained devoted and in love until her death in 2014. In their many decades together, she was the short to his tall, the liveliness to his steadiness, the laugh to his smile. Arch also decided, after his many childhood moves, to stay put, and Paula agreed. For the next sixty-plus years, they lived in San Leandro, raising five children: Tom, Paul, Kimmy (who died as an infant), Sharon and John; and were the grandparents to Eve, Lila, Sage and Maya.
Arch's career was split between General Motors and Alameda Naval Air Station, as an accountant/auditor with managerial responsibilities. At his retirement his coworkers praised his fairness, honesty, and consistency. Outside of work he loved to take the family camping, to test his problem-solving skills on home projects, and to do battle in competitive games of bridge.
For Arch, no music ever quite matched the Big Bands. A lifelong fan of local teams, during recent years he was delighted by his Golden State Warriors' miraculous run. His greatest regret was that he started smoking and couldn't stop soon enough. It took away a lot of his life before it finally took all of it.
He is survived by his younger sister, Maryann. To his four children and their spouses/partners—Cheryl, Janet, Rebecca and Susan—and grandchildren, he is remembered above all as a gentle man and a loyal, dependable presence, and he is admired because, though his body weakened, his desire to be accessible and accepting grew stronger. A very special thanks to his caregivers Rose and Carol, who were devoted companions to him in his final years.
There will be a celebration of Arch's life at 11 am on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at the Mission Bay clubhouse, 15333 Wicks Blvd, San Leandro.


View the online memorial for John Archie Tyler, Jr.