John Melehan Obituary
John Jeffery Melehan, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend passed surrounded by family at Stanford Hospital on October 18, 2025.
He left behind a life filled with family, friends, hobbies, and collections which he valued.
He is a descendent of The Stock Family, pioneers and early settlers in San Jose dating back to the 1800's, and the Perrucci Family, longtime leaders in the dried fruit industry.
He was born to James and Patricia Melehan at the old O'Connor Hospital in San Jose on August 24, 1958, the youngest of four children.
He was raised in Saratoga with his siblings and cousins, as well as nearby grandparents, Joseph and Angelina Perrucci.
He attended local schools and spent most of his working career at his family's business, Mayfair Packing Company. He especially enjoyed the creative aspect of running "The Country Store", its dried fruit retail outlet.
In addition, John was ahead of the curve when he opened "Video Fantasy", one of the first independent VHS movie rental outlets in the area.
He had a plethora of hobbies that he loved spending time on; photography, model trains, Christmas decorations, his cars, following NASCAR and all car related races, watching TVland, keeping up with college football but most of all his children and grandchildrens' activities. He loved collecting hats and enjoyed frequent Disneyland trips with his children and grandchildren.
John was loved and adored by his children, Brittain Surgey, and Johnathan Melehan, and the apples of his eye were his grandchildren, Chloe, Scarlett, and Forrest who will forever cherish their memories of him. He also leaves behind his devoted son-in-law Craig Surgey and daughter-in-law Annie Melehan. In addition, his brother Jim and wife, Trish, sister Maureen and husband John Machado, along with sister-in-law Celeste Martin Melehan mourn his loss. Other relatives who survive include his uncles Dr. Jim Vaudagna, Jerry O'Connell and aunt Jo'Ann O'Connell along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.
He is predeceased by his parents, Jim and Pat, his brother Joseph, cousin Jerry O'Connell, and Mary Pimentel.
He was beloved, a friend to all he met and will be truly missed.
Services will be at St Mary's Church in Los Gatos on Tuesday, November 4 at 11am
Private family burial.
Donations in his memory may be sent to bethematch.org which facilitates bone marrow transplant donations.
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