John James Girolami

1936 - 2022

Long time Chula Vista resident, Dr. John J. Girolami (Capt. USNR-Ret.) passed away peacefully at home on November 29, 2022 in the company of his family.
Dr. Girolami was born on November 29, 1936, in Butte, Montana, the only son of John, Sr. and Mary Girolami. "Jack" graduated from Butte Central H.S. and attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana before earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Creighton University in 1961. In the same year, Jack was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Navy where he served in the Dental Corps and was posted to the Naval Training Center in San Diego.
While in San Diego, he met the love of his life, Devona "Dee" Girolami and they were married on November 30, 1963 in Coronado. The following year, while on his first Trans-Pacific deployment aboard the U.S.S. Calvert, he received the happy news of the birth of his son, John Joseph Girolami. Their second son, James Anthony Girolami, followed in 1966. In 1968, he completed active duty with the Navy and served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for the next 20 years achieving the rank of Captain. He fondly remembered his time in the Navy and in the Dental Corps and was deeply proud of his service.
Following active duty, Jack started his private dental practice in Chula Vista where he would treat patients throughout the community for the next 40 years. In the early years of his private practice, Jack and Dee were once again blessed with the birth of their only daughter, Anne Marie. In 1979, Jack formed Town Centre Dental Group in Chula Vista (along with partners Dr. Herbert S. Black and Dr. Bruce Goldman) and proudly treated several generations of the community.
A man of great faith, Jack was an active member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chula Vista for over 50 years, serving in a number of roles including Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Jack also loved all sports and especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in soccer matches, baseball games and musical performances. He was very proud of the accomplishments of all of his grandchildren.
Jack was best known for his warm sense of humor. At family functions he frequently delivered impromptu jokes and impressions and would spontaneously break into songs from his days growing up in Butte, which were always met with hysterical laughter. In his later years, Jack showed great devotion to Dee and was by her side when she passed away on April 7, 2022.
Jack is survived by his children: John Joseph Girolami (Shelley) of Helena, Montana, Tony Girolami and Anne Marie Fontes (Ruben) of Bonita, California; grandchildren: Brittany Pulsifer (Jon), Kirsten Girolami, Ruben A. Fontes, Sofia Girolami, Anna Fontes and Natalia Girolami; great-grandchild: Jaxon Pulsifer.
For those interested in joining us in celebrating his life, a funeral Mass for Jack will be held at 11:00 AM on December 22, 2022 at Saint Rose of Lima Church in Chula Vista. A private interment will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on December 28, 2022. May he rest in peace.