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John Feci Obituary
Dec. 22, 1920-May 18, 2013
Resident of Watsonville
John Feci passed on Saturday, May 18, at his home in Watsonville, as he wanted, at the age of 92. During the final weeks of his life, his daughters, joined by spouses and grandchildren, were able to spend quality time with him.
He was born John Louis Feci in San José, California on December 22, 1920. He spent most of his life there, with a two-year sojourn early in his childhood in the land of his parents' birth, Campi, Italy, and a stint in Southern California working for Lockheed during the Second World War. The youngest of seven children, and the only boy, he helped his parents in the walnut orchard and vegetable garden. When he was 15 his father died and he took over primary responsibility for the ranch work. He was elected Student Body President of San José Technical High School. His leadership skills carried over into adulthood, as he was elected to the Franklin-McKinley School Board and later became president of the Notre Dame High School Dad's Club, where he boosted the school's treasury by bringing in Bingo. While working at Wool's Cannery, he met his future wife, Dee, and married her in 1948. As the family grew, John realized that he needed more income, so he got his real estate license and eventually became a broker. He moved to Watsonville in 1978 and lived there for the last 35 years of his life.
When the marriage ended in 1986, John realized a new skill: cooking. He took pride in his tasty Italian dishes (pizza and ravioli were his specialties) and special Christmas peanut brittle. He was a dedicated and loving father, grandfather, uncle to numerous nieces and nephews and friend to many. John loved working in his garden, foraging for mushrooms (he was one of the founding members of the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz County) and regaling family and friends with funny stories.
John is survived by his daughters, Janet Bice (Graham) of Watsonville, Donna Cavaillé (Dennis) of Felton, Dayna Feci of Watsonville and Julie Stoffel (Matt) of La Selva Beach; son David Feci (Donya) of New Zealand; and grandchildren Logan Howard, Alex Bice, Kevin Bice, Immanuel Feci, Thaddeus Feci, Boaz Feci, Fay Billings and Jack Stoffel. He also has one great-grandchild, Derek Howard. His daughter, Joan, preceded him in death.
John's life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 25th at Pacific Gardens Chapel (1050 Cayuga Street, Santa Cruz), at 11:00 A.M.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Feci
Greg and Jody Vander Zanden
May 27, 2013
Uncle Johny..Handsome and a smile that would lite up the room.I know you are resting well now,my prayers to the Family.
Jody (Giafaglione)
Christine Grilli
May 27, 2013
Johnny, you will be missed! I always remembered you being so young at heart with your little car (I always wanted one of those cars after seeing yours!) and great attitude. Wish I could have seen you recently. Love and miss you forever.
Nicole (Grilli) Welborn
May 24, 2013
Johnny, you will remain in our hearts forever.
Jacquie Ermey
May 24, 2013
My condolences to John's family. What a great man! I first met John years ago while visiting Joan and Steve when they drove me to Watsonville especially to meet him. He made me feel so welcome at his home with his wonderful hospitality. Then I was privileged to see him again at a sad time when I flew to CA for his beloved Joan's funeral. He again treated me like family despite his own grief. What a warm, caring man. Johnny, now you will be with your beloved Joan... rest in peace
My Wedding September 1997
Michele (JR, Leo & Nick) Garcia
May 23, 2013
My Johnny Feci, I will cherish the many dances we had at weddings and celebrations! You will always be remembered for being such a thoughtful and wonderful man. Love you!
Rivera Lee and Norma
May 23, 2013
Johnny, No words can express the love we had for you and your family. You will be missed by all who knew you. So many Great memories. From the day I had my first born (Guido) and my beloved (Teresa) who we lost so young.Then I had my (Nicole) a day before your birthday. Finally my daughter Michele who you danced with at all the parties and Wedding.I missed seeing your beautiful smile and all the great stories. Love and prayers to your famiy
Joe & Patti Fuentes
May 22, 2013
John was our dear friend. He was one of a kind. We have many lovely memories with John. We were blessed to have known him.
May 22, 2013
Firstly, my most sincere and profound condolences to John's family. He was truly a great guy and will be missed by all who knew him.
I consider myself very fortunate for having been able to become better acquainted with John over the last several years. John was the father of my husband's first love, Joan Feci, who passed away far too young and far too soon. John and Steve "fought the war together" against Joan's cancer. And according to Steve, no one fought harder to live than Joan herself. John and Steve were heartbroken by her passing.
Steve and I still live in the house he shared with Joan. There are so many memories of her here and now, so many memories of Johnny too. John and I sat on the back patio and spoke of Joan, spoke of his family, of his growing up, taking care of his mother, and so many other things, and maybe he did that with everyone. But I'd like to believe he shared those stories with me because he felt we shared a connection, not just a shared location.
I will miss John being in the neighborhood and stopping by. He always said he was on his way to somewhere or on his way back from somewhere, but I think he liked me, but mostly I think he liked my two puppies, Jack & Pete. He never had to knock on the door, the dogs always knew when he was walking up to the house. "Look Jack and Pete, it's Papa John." You never saw to tails wag so hard!
John said he initially stayed away from the house because he didn't want to trespass on our lives, that I likely wouldn't want the father of my husbands first love hanging around. Sometime after he and I had gotten to know one another he said he was sorry he stayed away so long. I imagine that was a huge milestone for John to confess, and likely, to open his heart enough to allow me inside. Thank you Johnny for showing me who you really are, a kind, caring, loving, scrapper, joker, gardener, father, grandfather, ex-husband, relative, and just a darned good human being. We will all miss you so very, very much. May you rest in sweet, sweet peace.
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