John Michael Cafaro

John Michael Cafaro
July 16, 1946 - October 12, 2021
Walnut Creek, California - John Michael Cafaro, a man of great integrity, intelligence, and gentleness passed from this realm surrounded by his loving family on October 12, 2021 in Walnut Creek, CA.
John was born in Spokane, WA, the son first son of Pete and Eileen Cafaro. He was named for his Uncle Fr. John O'Brien, a Jesuit priest. He was soon joined by his brother and two sisters, as they grew up in the Norwalk – Santa Fe Springs neighborhood of Los Angeles.
John's lifelong passion was football at all levels. He was a standout in high school, and was named to the Santa Fe Springs HS Hall of Fame. He played one year at Cerritos College, where his team won the CA State Junior College Football Championship, the Potato Bowl, in Bakersfield. He was then recruited to San Diego State by Coach John Madden, who was John's collegiate line coach. The team was led by Coach Don Coryell to many victories and undefeated seasons. John followed his on-field career by becoming the chairman of the SDSU Student-Faculty Athletic Committee, overseeing all NCAA sports, their scheduling and budgets at SDSU.
John was elected twice as the president of his college fraternity, Sigma Chi. He was also elected twice as chair of the SDSU Interfraternity Council. He chaired the SDSU Student Council Finance Committee. When John graduated from SDSU he was honored with the Dean Pfeiffer Award as the graduating senior who contributed the most to SDSU. After graduating with a B.S. in Zoology, John decided to try his hand at medicine, first completing a M.S. in Vertebrate Physiology. He studied medicine for 3 years in Paris, France at the Universite De Paris VII Faculte De Medicine Lariboisiere-Saint-Louis. After deciding medicine wasn't for him, he came back to California and studied chemical engineering.
John owned WC Chemical Engineering in Modesto CA for over 35 years. He was well respected in the field of industrial water treatment for food and wine processing up and down the Central Valley of California.
John spent many hours and years as a youth baseball and football coach. He organized and coached baseball for Stanislaus Union Youth Baseball. John spent many seasons as a volunteer line coach for high school football at both Modesto High School and Central Catholic High School. He was very proud of being his son's first line coach. He truly loved working with young men as a coach and mentor in life. Sometimes when he was running a little bit late to Sunday mass, he would try to sneak into a pew, only to be greeted by a loud "Hi Coach!" from his former players.
John grew up as a LA Dodger fan, but as a 'condition of marriage' and love for his wife, John converted to a San Francisco Giants
season ticket holder. John enjoyed many years of adventures and travel but his greatest joy in life was following his son and daughter around the country and world as their biggest supporter in their athletic careers. He retired from business and became a loving Papa to his granddaughters, and enjoyed his family time.
John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Vian, his college sweetheart, in Brentwood, CA; his son, John Daniel (JD) and wife, Catherine, and granddaughters Charlotte and Jacqueline (Coco) of San Rafael, CA. and by his daughter, Erin Jane Cafaro, of Walnut Creek. John is also survived by his brother, Dr. James Cafaro (Della), and by his sisters Judy Martin and Claudia Blank, as well as many nieces, nephews and godchildren.
His family will be holding a private service. Plans for a celebration of life are forthcoming. As a way of remembrance for John's life please make a donation of time or financial support to the youth sports organization of your choice.