John Thomas "Papa" Randazzo

1940 - 2020

John "Papa" Thomas Randazzo
June 27, 1940-December 28, 2020
Carmel Valley, CA
On the morning of December 28, John Randazzo peacefully passed away at the age of 80 in Carmel Valley, CA. The son of John Joseph Randazzo and Leona Healy, John was raised in Detroit, MI along with his sister Annie.
John moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1957, unaware that he found his lifelong home. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1962 after serving four years. He subsequently returned to the peninsula where he fell in love with Alice Paine in 1963. John and Alice were wed on December 18, 1964, and had three children. John loved taking the kids hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and to Lake Tahoe where the family spent many Christmas holidays. He was a strong family man who worked hard his entire life and believed in providing for his family.
Much of his persona was in large part wrapped up in the demolition company, Randazzo Enterprises, he started in the late 1960s. He was known for his strong work ethic and "can do" attitude and would do projects nobody else would take on. He believed in the integrity of making a deal with a handshake and his word. John was loyal, believed in second chances and always saw the good in people, even when others did not. Many of the people who worked for John 30 years ago still work at Randazzo Enterprises today.
In the late 1970s, before recycling was mainstream, he began saving and recycling anything he could find to create the "Salvage Yard" in Sand City. Eventually, he moved Randazzo Salvage to Castroville where it currently operates. Artisans, contractors, and DIYers pick through the old doors, chandeliers, windows, bathtubs, lumber, pipe, stone, brick, rock, and other treasures that John saved over the years. He took great pleasure in seeing his salvaged treasures find a new life in someone else's home. His passion for demolition and salvage and the love for his employees lasted throughout his lifetime.
John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Alice Randazzo; his sister, Annie LaLonde of Livonia, Michigan; children, Victoria, Jona, and Mark (Bridget). He also leaves behind his granddaughters, Stephanie, Olivia, and Camille.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Monterey located at 21 Lower Ragsdale Dr, Monterey, CA 93940.


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