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John Stephen Sobrero died May 23, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee at the age of 81.
John graduated in 1959 from Oakland High School in Oakland, California where he was class president for three years. He joined the Army in 1961 and was stationed in Germany where he worked in classified Radio Intelligence. After his honorable discharge in 1964, he returned to Northern California where he worked for the next five years as a Job Corps Counselor, a Night Counselor at a Juvenile detention facility, and a Basic Education Instructor at an employment training corporation.
In 1970, he established and ran John's Soup Kitchen in Berkeley, California, embarking on a long career in the food service industry. In 1972, he moved into food service management and quickly worked his way up to managing for higher education institutions, eventually managing colleges and universities throughout the southern United States. After retiring in 2000, John fed his insatiable appetite for knowledge at the University of Missouri, earning his Bachelor's Degree in August, 2003, then his Master's Degree in Public Administration with a Certificate in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization Management from the University of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2006. While earning his degrees, John began assisting fellow students from foreign countries by tutoring them in English, which he continued for many years after completing his education.
Throughout his life, one of his greatest pleasures was creating culinary masterpieces and hosting meals for family and friends. John treated everyone equally and fairly, and respected every person and his or her views and opinions. He had profound impact on all who knew him.
John leaves behind his wife, Patricia Sobrero, daughters Gina Sobrero and Rachel (Matthew) Stephens, grandsons Nicholas Evans and Oliver Stephens, sister Judy Wyte, brothers William "Billy" Sobrero and Frank "Bruzz" (Barbara) Sobrero, nephews and nieces Paul (Gina) Torres, Matthew (Kim) Torres, Joshua Wyte, Karis (Andre) Charles, Elizabeth Heller, Peter (Lisa) Sobrero, Tony Sobrero, Stephanie Fontaine, Monica (Dave) Suddarth, Judy (Bruce) John, Jenny Gallegos, Karen (Steve) Ballard, Brian (Lehua) Sobrero, and many great-nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his mother Virginia Butler Sobrero, his father Francis Caesar Sobrero, sister Penny (Jack) Settatree, sister Barbara Courtney, brother-in-law Dan Courtney, and nephews Michael Courtney and Mark Sobrero.
The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life honoring John on July 2, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee.
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West Harpeth Funeral Home & Crematory - Nashville

6962 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

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BARBARA ROMAINE (nee COVELL)

June 12, 2023

I remember the Sobrero family well, I grew up right down the street from them on Dimond Ave., in Oakland, Calif, 3 doors from MacArthur bld, and the huge dark Sobrero home was about 3 or 4 houses fromt he foot bridge leading to dimond Park whee we all spent many memorable times. Sister Barbara and I were great chums for many years and prided ourselves that we were both named Barbara. I remember father Frank's comments of his football pride at Santa Clara College. I remember grandpa Caesar who we called Papa and his loving wife who we called MeeMaw, she woud always have a treat for us when we pestered her = dad Frank built them their own small house in the middle of the front yard which always seemed to me to be quite overgrown = when I would come to fetch Barbara to play, mom Virginia would always put us to work polishing bannisters and whatever before we could hit playtime = I would attend St. Jarlath's church now and then with Barbara and we would whisper about what a waste that so and so piiest was so good looking and not available to date, we being but ten or so at the time = grand memories but we lost touch when I moved but 6 or so blocks away and started high school, I graduated Oakland High in January, 1953 =I remember the kids as Barbara, Bruzzie, then a pair of girl and boy twins, and I believe 2 others but my age isn't doing me well these day = I hope someone int he family remembers the COVELL family from years past, that would be nice - mostly I am sorry for your family loss.