Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Lally Obituary
John spent 22 years on active duty as a Command Pilot and was qualified in several aircraft, including the B-25, B-47 and B-52 Stratofortress. A few of the many accomplishments of his illustrious career include his command of deployed elements of 441st Bomb Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) in Guam. At the end of the Vietnam War, by direct orders from U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, John led the redeployment of B-52s back to the continental United States. He culminated his career as Commander of the 441st Bomb Squadron at Mather AFB in Sacramento. After retiring from the Air Force and settling his family permanently in Sacramento, John became an engineer for Pacific Bell Telephone Company. When he permanently retired from the work force in the late 90's, he pursued his passion for adventure and travel, which began 40 years earlier during his years at the USNA. Baseball, football, basketball, golf - John LOVED sports! He organized numerous trips to attend games across the country with family and friends, always capturing memories with his camera and generously sending them for all to enjoy.
John was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Patrick Lally, and his mother, Agnes Cecilia Liguori of Forest Side Ave., San Francisco. He is survived by his cherished wife of 61 years and St. Cecilia and St. Rose alum, Rosemary D. Lally; his seven daughters: Marie K. Reilly (Michael) of Manteca, CA; M. Theresa Lally (David Van Wagoner) of Yorktown, VA; Rosemarie E. Lally of Sacramento, CA; Bernadette A. Tate (Ellis) of Omaha, NE; Diane A. Lally of Sacramento, CA; Susanne E. Lally of Walnut Creek, CA; and Christine J. Lally of Sacramento, CA. John was the greatest grandfather in the world to Maura R. Reilly Albert, Mikaela M. Reilly, Sean J. Tate, Ryan T. Tate, Olivia R. Tate, and his great-granddaughter, Kathleen S. Albert.
A celebration of John's life and legacy will be held Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church located at 4123 Robertson Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821. An 11:30 am Rosary will be followed by Mass at 12:00 pm. The burial will immediately follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, 6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95820. Please join the Lally Family for a celebration at 2:30 pm at Mix Downtown, 1525 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, to toast John - because he always enjoyed a good party and a stiff drink!
If you would like to commemorate John's life and generosity, donations may be made in his name to the Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850 (www.fisherhouse.org) or Loaves and Fishes of Sacramento, 1351 North C Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 (sacloaves.org).
GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!
Beannacht leat go bhfeicfidh mé arís thú (Irish Gaelic: Blessings until we meet again)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Lally
Sue Stilwell
March 22, 2020
Was just watching some BUFF videos on YouTube, and thought of John. So I looked him up online. Was so sad to hear of his passing. I knew him in the 80's from working together at the phone company, before I moved to San Diego. Such a lovely man, and proud of his girls. I still cherish the old flight suit that he gave me one year, for my Halloween costume.
Larry Smith
March 31, 2019
John and I were classmates at the Naval Academy. Because he was in the 13th Company and I the 14th, we attended a lot of classes together over the four years. After military service, we became reacquainted by way of email. He and I agreed about politics and we had similar senses of humor, so our email exchanges brightened many of my days. Though John never bragged about anything (except the exploits of his swimming grandsons), it was abundantly clear that he was a great family man, a proud patriot, and a practicing Christian. When he became too ill to continue our exchanges, I was devastated. I miss him to this day. I feel privileged to have known him.
June 13, 2018
I was in the Air Force and stationed over at Korat RTAFB in 68-69 where we first met. He worked at the 388th Tactical Fight Wing Command Operations Center and I was a sentry at the Entry Control Point. We often chatted when he came through my post. He and the late Colonel Felix "Doc" Blanchard were friendly rivals because Doc was an All American Heisman trophy winner and West Point grad . If course John was a Naval Academy grad so there was a lot of snack talk! John did lose a bet on the Army-Navy game where a bottle of Scotch was wagered! John stopped when he got back to the states and called my folks to say hi and report that I was doing well at Korat. My dad wrote to tell me about that and I never forgot his kindness. I next saw John at Castle AFB where I cross-trained into the Command Post and John was training on Buffs! I was proud to know and serve with that remarkable man! I moved to Sacramento in 71 after my enlistment and lived there for twenty three years before moving up here to Gig Harbor, WA. Wish I had known John also lived there, we could have slammed some Guinness together and swapped some lies! May perpetual light shine upon John!
Lonni Case
April 17, 2018
My husband, Tom, and I both worked with John at the telephone company in Sacramento! Loved him and all his quips and antics. We haven't stayed in touch very well but we will miss him! Flying high again John!!
April 9, 2018
Condolences to Rosemary and family.
Fond memories of our beloved cousin John since his first visit to Galway Ireland in 1954.
A generous host whenever we were in California.
Now the great officer and pilot is on his final mission to his Heavenly Home.
A true grandson of Ireland.
May he rest in peace,
Nuala and Jim Collins, Kildare, Ireland
Paul Loftus
April 7, 2018
Thinking of you all this morning and reminiscing about John, your husband/Dad/Grandfather/Brother/Uncle... I remember the first time I met John and Rosemary - the summer of 1989 - we were at a dinner with some of Mum's cousins - John, Maureen, and Bernadette - in the Fairmont, San Francisco. I was there with Mum and Dad, and my Mum's sister Trudy. It was an Irish/Italian welcome to the visiting Irish family. A wonderful night was had by all, and we got to know each other, sharing many stories from both sides, and Boy did John have a lot of stories. He could tell a tale or two and a good joke too!
As life turns and twists, it turned out that this was the first of many family get togethers we would share as I moved to San Francisco in 1994 and lived there until 2001. During this time and to this day, John and all the Lally's could not have made us feel more welcome and truly a part of the family. I'll always be grateful for that and wish We could be there today to celebrate a wonderful life.
Thank you, John, and here's a joke you can tell in heaven, should go down well;)
It was recently proven beyond reasonable doubt that Jesus was in fact an Irishman. Principally there are 3 reasons-
1. He lived at home with his parents until he was 33;
2. He always went out drinking with the same 12 lads - drove his parents crazy;
3. And finally... he thought his Dad was God...He must have been Irish!!
All the best, John, great knowing you and thanks for everything.
Go n'eiri an mbothar leat!!
Paul, Jen and Loftus family
Kitty O'Neal
April 7, 2018
What a great man! He was of a special generation. Such service to our country and so loved by his family. With much admiration and respect, I send my love to the Lally family.
April 6, 2018
Condolences to the Lally family. Philip and Irene LaRocca. (Elizabeth Hessions daughter)
Larry Smith
April 6, 2018
My heartfelt condolences to all the Lally family. John was my classmate at the Naval Academy and my email buddy for more than 20 years. A good man in every sense of the word.
April 5, 2018
Condolences to the Lally Family. My mother and father were very fond of your dad, a gentleman.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,
Le Meas,
Maeve Collins (Daughter of Nuala Lally, Liscune, County Galway)
Doug Cooper
April 5, 2018
John was my aircraft commander at Beale AFB in the late 1960s. He and I spent lots of time with the rest of the crew in B-52Gs while we bored holes in the skies! We also served on nuclear alert during which we stretched John's sense of humor to the limits. He was a great pilot and officer and, as well, a great friend. Best to Rosemary and the girls. Rest in peace John.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in John Lally's name
Memorial Events
for John Lally
Apr
7
Apr
7
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Lally's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
