Johnny Albert Deniz

Johnny Albert Deniz

It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude for his life that we announce the passing of

our beloved father, brother, cousin, step-father, step-grandfather and friend Johnny Deniz

on March 11, 2026. Born on November 6, 1944, in Madera, California, Johnny left this world

peacefully after a brave 3-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old. Johnny

was the first born cherished son of the late Manuel and Anna Deniz both of whom preceded

him in death. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Angela Menashe (Phillip Menashe),

sisters Gloria Deniz (Betty DeVito), Gladys Deniz, brother Julius Deniz, step-son Jon Diaz

(Kim Diaz), step-daughter Tricia Diaz Crongeyer and step-grandchildren, Hayden, Mason,

Camden, Ana and Emma.

A proud graduate of Madera High School and Fresno State, Johnny enlisted in the army for

three years and was stationed as a payroll clerk in Oakland and Korea. After his service, he

met Natalie Rodriguez, a Kindergarten teacher at Dixieland Elementary School. They fell in

love, married, and spent nearly 40 wonderful years together until Natalie's passing in 2010.

Together, they built a life grounded in family, faith, and community service raising their

beautiful daughter Angela in Madera. Johnny began his career at the Madera County

Auditors office and soon was recruited by his godfather/uncle Johnny P. Deniz to be the

accountant at Deniz Packing, Inc.

Johnny remarried in 2012 to a very close family friend, Audrey Diaz, and was blessed to

receive his adult step-children Jon and Tricia along with their families. They shared a

beautiful marriage until Audrey's passing in 2016.

He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and an active member of St.

Joachim's school board and parents club. He was involved with the Holy Family Table,

Eucharistic Ministry and adoration and many other volunteer activities for the parish. He

enjoyed vacationing here and abroad, fishing with friends, playing cards with family and

constantly tending to his yard. Johnny was a beacon of light and love with kindness,

strength, and unwavering faith and he will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing

him.

Services are as follows:

Sunday, March 22, 2026, visitation from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, followed by a rosary at 5:00 pm

at Jay Chapel, Madera.

Monday, March 23, 2026 Funeral Mass 9:30am at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Madera

followed by Christian Burial at Calvary Cemetery in Madera.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all the compassionate nurses and care providers

from St. Agnes Hospital, CCare and Nancy Hinds Hospice. Thank you also to the countless

number of family and friends who have supported Johnny and all his family throughout this

journey. Your visits, food, love and prayers have sustained us through this difficult ordeal.

Memorial donations in Johnny's honor can be made to the VFW or Nancy Hinds Hospice