John Louis Raffealli

John Louis Raffealli

November 27, 1946

March 30, 2014

John died peacefully, at home with his wife and daughter at his side, on Sunday, March 30.

He was born in Union City, New Jersey to Irene Giovannettone and Louis Raffealli. He was educated at Holy Family School in Union City from kindergarten through high school. In 1968, he graduated from Fordham University in New York City, with a degree in secondary education.

After college he joined VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America), where he met fellow VISTA volunteer Sandy Pearce from Reno. They were married and lived in Oklahoma City for ten years where they had their only child, Lydia. John taught junior high for 10 years in Oklahoma City. He was a well-loved teacher and basketball coach who mentored many students and remained in touch with several throughout his life.

In 1979 John and Sandy moved to Reno where John joined his father-in-law, Bill Pearce, in the car business. John worked at Bill Pearce Motors for 35 years, managing and growing the business. Upon the death of Bill Pearce, he became the dealer of all five of the franchises included in the business. He was always proud of his employees and measured his success by their success.

Preferring to remain in the background, John encouraged his wife Sandy to join the business and become the spokesperson. Later he brought his daughter and son-in-law, Matthew Meyer, into the business.

As a team, John and Sandy continued the Pearce/VISTA philosophy of sharing their good fortune with the community. John's proudest community achievement was creating the Car Giveaway Drawing for graduating seniors with perfect attendance. Throughout the five years of the car giveaway program, Washoe County has seen steady growth in perfect attendance of seniors. John was always impressed and proud of the fine young people who qualified for the annual drawing. He has encouraged support of many other community organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Discovery Museum for Children, Reno Philharmonic Association, Nevada Museum of Art, Reno Rodeo Foundation and the Nevada Women's Fund.

Although John retained his New Jersey accent and demeanor he loved his home in the west and could usually be seen in jeans, western shirt, cowboy hat and boots: all hat, no cattle and proud of it.

John is survived by his wife Sandy, daughter Lydia Meyer, her husband Matt, grandchildren David, Ryan and Susanna and nieces Clarissa and Jane Pearce.

The family expresses their gratitude for the outstanding care John experienced throughout his almost four years of treatment for cancer, particularly their rock, Dr. Steven Schiff, and his staff; Drs. David Gandara and Kenneth Yoneda from the University of California, Davis Cancer Center; and Dr. Ron Smith in Reno. John was a veteran of four clinical trials which he hoped would help others in the future.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows or a charity of your choice.

A reception celebrating John's life will be held on Friday, April 11, 3:00 p.m. at the Grove, 95 Foothill Road.