John Elkington

1930 - 2024

John Elkington
01/11/1930 - 09/12/2024
John "Jack" Elkington, 94, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024. Jack, the middle of three children, was born in San Francisco on January 11, 1930 to Justice Norman Elkington & Georgia (Gilcrest) Elkington. Jack was an exceptional man, defined by his kindness, deep love for family, unwavering honesty, and natural talent for conversation. To his family and loved ones he was affectionately known as "Grandpa Jack". He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Elkington. He is survived by his loving family, including his two sisters; Norma Jean Curley and Helen Diestel and many loving nieces and nephews; his two children Ken Elkington (Joannie) and daughter Cheryl Raffetto (Tom), five grandchildren Adam Elkington (Britta), Taylor Elkington (Jill), Connor Elkington (Elizabeth), Caroline Raffetto, Jeremy Raffetto, and five great grandchildren Aldo, Luke, Flora, Caden, and Avery. Jack graduated from Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco, and went on to join the U.S. Navy. Jack was stationed at the fleet post-office in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 1951, Jack met Mary Catherine O'Donnell, and on October 18, 1952 they married in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. After leaving the Navy in 1953, Jack and Mary returned to San Francisco where Jack began work as a jeweler and eventually pursued his passion in the printing industry. Jack was a proud member of the International Typographical Union and worked as a Typesetter at Garrett Press for 25+ years. He finished his career at the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News. Jack and Mary enjoyed many wonderful trips and cruises with friends over the years. A lifelong fisherman, Jack grew up fishing the rivers and streams of Northern California with his father. He seldom missed an opportunity to fish during his travels and vacations. He was proud to share his love of fishing with his son and grandsons. His passion for fishing continued later in life when he spent hours carving schools of life-size realistic fish. Jack had an enormous heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family, extended family and a wide group of close friends whose lives he touched in countless ways. He was a great conversationalist and was always willing to share a childhood lesson, an occasional fish tale, regale his time in the Navy, or just share details of his most recently watched movie. He was an avid fan of both the Giants and the 49ers.
Services will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 300 Fulton Street, Redwood City. Rosary and Funeral Mass at 10:15am. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma. A Celebration of Life will be held in South San Francisco, immediately after interment.
Rest in peace Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and Friend. Your light will continue to shine in the many lives you have touched.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Blake Memorial Foundation which is dedicated to making an impact in the lives of students with Dyslexia and ADHD.