John Maxwell

I met Father Maxwell at St Andrews when attended church as a little girl. Thank you for being there for me & family
Beatrice

I met Fr. John at St. Andrew. The one thing I remember dearly was we would get a nickel dime or quarter for finding the scripture the fastest... love you and will miss you. Your Family is in my heart and prayer. You were always the best in my book.

I relocated to California from Indiana and I was in search for a diverse parish. I attended St. John the Baptist church and immediately fell in love with Father John. I found him to be warm, kind and welcoming. I was surprised at how quickly he learned my name. I've been attending St. John the Baptist ever since. The church will never be the same without Father John. I can't begin to say how much I miss him.

I met Father John when I first attended the St. John's over 10 years ago. He was warm, caring and loving. Although I never had very many one-on-one interactions with him, I could tell how friendly he was. I always looked forward to his homilies and shaking his hand at the end of mass. I will miss him very much.

As a priest, Father John has been involved in the spiritual development of so many people. The Holy Spirit truly touched his life enabling him to enrich the lives of so many. We consider ourselves fortunate to have known him during his time as our beloved pastor at St John the Baptist. He officiated at our family functions and enriched us all. Our memories of him will last throughout our lives. Rest in love and peace with the angel. Some day "God willing" we will all be together. Kathleen & Richard Keller

Fr. John was a one-of-a-kind teacher. I learned more from him in those four years at Salesian than I ever realized at the time. After graduating, after the Army he officiated at my wedding. And many years later, as sick as he was, he answered my phone call and went out into the night to give my mother the last rights.

I believe that, in many ways, he was truly a father (figure) to many of us in the early days of Salesian High and perhaps even more so later if life. He will certainly be missed.

We had the pleasure of meeting Father John years ago when he officiated some very special ceremonies in our family.
Father John had a warm,caring and friendly nature that made us feel very welcome. His gentle ways and kindness are something we will never forget. He also had a terrific sense of humor.

RIP Father John and thank you for everything. We will remember you always.

Father John, brought me and family closer to god and now you are with him, we will miss you and until we see you again, may you rest in peace (Pareja Family - El Cerrito)

Father John was more than special to my wife and I. He was with us from when we got engaged to when we got married and when we had our first son. Also, the very first homily I ever heard in a Catholic church, before I became Catholic was given by Father John. His words, love and light touched my soul and my heart, and continue to always. RIP Fr. John. You are missed more than you'll ever know

Father John was a cool and hip Priest ,he will be missed but never forgotten . Members of KPC Council #212

Met Father John as a young person.He was a great man.We didn't always see things eye ta eye.Still he was all about Respect and Honor.It doesn't get better than that.He is in heaven with God and the Angels.That is for sure and for certain.The world is a lesser place without him.So, Father John,Respect and Honor...forever.Eric

Father John came into my life at one of my darkest times, and he was there to share and commemorate one of the brightest. I will always be grateful to him and will cherish the memory of this wonderful man. Truly, the Holy Spirit worked through Fr. John Maxwell, and through eternal ripples will continue to do so.

May Father John's sense of humor, compassion, and love of humanity shine in all those whose lives he touched.

Fr. Maxwell was a champion of the poor and a strong advocate on behalf of those we served, especially the folks in Oakland during his 25 plus years in the Diocese of Oakland. He will be greatly missed.
Louis Labat, Emeryville, Calif.

Father John was an inspirational to my mother and I want to thank him for his continued friendship.

May you rest in peace!

John Maxwell became a friend and mentor to me when I was a student priest at St. Andrew's-St.Joseph's 1986-88. From the first moment he met me at San Francisco airport he made me feel very much at home at Brockhurst St. He was a great model pastor and his open love for the least of the brethren became an inspiration for me and continues to be a bedrock for my own priestly ministry. His mother became my mother and he shared his friends easily. He has continued to be an inspiration as our Church drifted backwards in recent years. His eternal optimism, his gentle humour and his total dedication to God's people, especially the addicted, the homeless, the outcast have been a source of strength as I persevere in my own ministry. Condolences to his natural and his Church family. May he live in God's peace and in our hearts.

Clyde M. Harvey
Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. West Indies.

Fr. John was an inspiration to all he touched--I will miss his kind spirit, his uplifing emails and sermons. Love Diana Vergil and family

Dear Fr. John,
Thank you for always being so welcoming. I enjoyed your homolies and your humor. Enjoy Heaven!!

My deepest sympathy to the Maxwell family, to the parish of St. John's and to all Christians in the Oakland Diocese. A true man of God - supportive, encouraging, joyful, adventurous, justice-centered and above all, human and loving to anyone who needed a tangible reminder of God's abiding presence. I will miss him and miss the comfort of knowing that he was there for me (and for all of us who knew him) if I reached out to him.

To John,
Our beloved Virgil,whose friendship and faith guided us out of the shadows to once again behold the stars.We carry you,we carry you in our hearts.
Larry and Peggy,
Trieste,Italy

Dear Father John,

I will miss you. If ever there was a saint it is you.

Love,

Kathleen

Our Deepest Sympathy to the family of Father John Maxwell. We so love him for the prayers and inspiration to our parents (Anthony & Ernestine Bellow) at St Andrews Parish and Senior Home.

He will always be in our prayers and thoughts.

Madlin Ingram & Family

Father John was truly a man of God,a great teacher ,activist,and a fighter for civil rights. Joseph D Shepherd Charleston,South Carolina

Thank you for the love, support and encouragement that you gave to our family and more importantly our chruch family! You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Dear Fr. John,
You have left an aching void in our collective hearts. We will carry on with loving memories of you forever.

Father John was a special part of our lives and countless others. He will be surely missed but never forgotten. Our condolences to his family.

Jessie and Floyd Renty, Richmond, CA

Thank you Father Maxwell and Leo Edgerly For helping me to find my way to Christ.
Your caring spirit will be missed.