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John Leland Obituary
May 24, 2023
Leland, John Raymond. July 21, 1943 - May 24, 2023. John Leland passed away unexpectedly on May 24, at age 79.
John was born in San Francisco, the only child of the late Raymond and Delphine (nee Bowens) Leland. John attended St. Anne of the Sunset Grade School and Archbishop Riordan High School. He earned a degree in business from San Francisco State University in 1965. In June of that year, he married Merry Kathleen Herbert and joined her large and loving family. John and Merry welcomed three sons. Sadly, Merry predeceased John in 1982; as did their eldest son John, Jr., a Navy Corpsman, in 1993.
John was the consummate salesman, honing his skills first in the shoe department at the Emporium. In 1966 he became an insurance agent for Allstate, earning multiple awards over his 56 years. He was still running the Leland Agency at the time of his death. A life-long sports fan, John returned from a long-desired trip with his sons to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, the day before he died.
John is survived by his dear wife, Raquel (nee Hernandez Arroyo) and by his sons Michael (Ellen) of Perry Park, Colorado; and Patrick (Corinne) of Petaluma. John was blessed with four grandchildren: Merry, Michael Jr. and Patrick, all of Colorado; and Jake of Petaluma. He is also survived by step-sons Erik Neri Hernandez of San Mateo and Cesar Neri Hernandez of Redwood City.
John was also a beloved brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, neighbor, coach, teammate and friend to countless people. He gave of his time generously, volunteering over the years for many local charities, including Little League baseball, various Catholic school fundraisers, and regular blood donations.
Services: Visitation will be held from 5-9pm Wednesday, May 31, at Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's Funeral Home, 977 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA, 94401. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am Thursday, June 1, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, One Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo, CA, 94402. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in John's memory to Junior Giants through Giants Community Fund Donation Page (givingfuel.com).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Leland
Sponsored by Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Richard
December 2, 2023
John was a dear friend and Giants fan. Rest in peace. You deserve it for all the good you did in your life to help others. And especially my parents and I.
Rich, another loyal Giants fan.
Drew
November 26, 2023
John was such a pleasant, upbeat, can-do go who always was there when we needed him and completely had our back. He managed our family's insurance needs for a number of years, and I can't imagine a more thoughtful, positive, easy to work with person than John. Thank you John for all you did, and to the family, we are so sorry for your loss. We know he made the world a better place.
Andrew
November 25, 2023
John was a wonderful guy. He took care of my family's insurance needs for 24 years, and he was a joy to work with. He was always there for me, always remembered us, and I considered him a friend.
Robert Carrillo
October 4, 2023
Thanks John for all your help. God Bless you and your family.
Robert Whitehair
August 18, 2023
I just learned of the death of John. I was one of the Little League coaches who tried, emphasis on tried, to influence John to change his decision. He was a great umpire, and a great insurance agent. We will surely miss him, as I am sure you already do. Best wishes
Robert Whitehair, San Mateo
JOHN ALVAREZ
July 21, 2023
.I met John years ago around the early 80s to play on a softball team in SSF... he was a very good player... we actually won the Championship that first year... we had a blast....Then I found out he was an Allstate Agent and I just happened to be looking for a new Insurance company... well John set us up and we became a client ... I'm still with Allstate in Idaho Falls. When I was living in Woodbridge Ca, John called me and said he was playing in a Softball Tournament in Lodi Ca which is right next to Woodbridge ... so I went there to see him play and catch up on old times... of course John came up with the bases loaded and knock the ball out of the park to my delight...he still had it He was always pleasant and easy to talk with not to mention laugh...as you know he Loved Baseball... he was a good friend and agent... guys like John are hard to see go...but we have to acknowledge the blessing of having him in our lives...my condolences to the family and again thank you for your reply.
John Hermann
June 10, 2023
I met John when helping coach in Little League with his son Patrick. Such a brief yet enjoyable time! Rest in peace, John.
Sandy Moore
June 9, 2023
Just heard of John's passing. A dear friend to my husband Bob and me. Many wonderful memories of our days with Senior Softball. I just know Bob and John are telling softball stories together again in Heaven. My sympathy to his family.
Caroline Basil
June 4, 2023
John and I became co-workers when Allstate moved from San Francisco to Daly City in December 1971, and shortly after he became my insurance agent for my first car.
He was not only a co-worker and agent, we became friends, and with his sense of humor, he used to tease me about my accent.
Few years later we became family friends when my two brothers remodeled the kitchen and other rooms in his Clark house in San Mateo, and every time he saw them, with a big smile, he would remind of their good work. Well, now John will meet my older brother Elias in Heaven and they can joke about the work together.
Our sincere condolences, and our prayers and thoughts are with Mike, Patrick and the entire Leland family.
Rest in Peace John
Caroline and Nabil Basil
Janet Vaughan
June 1, 2023
Such a wonderful service today for an amazing man! I loved hearing all the stories told at the reception! John brought joy to everyone he met! He lived life to the fullest and I know I will continue to live, laugh and love like he´d want us all to do! Oh, and don´t forget to hit the cut off man!
Joyce
June 1, 2023
I am so sorry for your family's loss. I have very deep feelings for John and am thankful for the wonderful memoris.
Patricia Lofton-Stark
June 1, 2023
I am in utter shock that John is no longer with us...When I saw his name in the obituary, my first thought was `oh it can´t be my John´, but sadly there was his photo...I would not only consider John my Allstate Insurance agent, but a friend...John became my agent in the late sixties when I started with him for my renter´s insurance...yes we had a long history through my various policies...But selling insurance wasn´t always his motive...John genuinely cared about his clients, what they were doing, their extended families, etc...Sadly we also bonded over tragic losses in our life, but both of us kept our upbeat personalities and smiles on our faces...I will sincerely miss him...
My condolences to his wife, son and extended family...May John Rest In Peace...
Patricia Lofton-Stark
Michael Munday
June 1, 2023
I am a former Allstate agent and have known John sinceI started in 1973. After I retired John helped me with some insurance questions even though he was not the agent . I offered to have the accounts transferred to him but he said it was not necessary. Great guy. I was at Allstate 41 years. He beat me.
Jessica Sitton Cole
June 1, 2023
So very sad to read that John Leland passed away. He was our family insurance agent for more than 4O years. He was so kind to call and check on us when wildfires came near us in the Tubbs Fire in 2017 (we were thankfully spared and did not need to make a claim!) Condolences to his family. I´m glad he got to Cooperstown! Will be making a donation to Junior Giants in his honor.
John loftus
May 31, 2023
My heartfelt condolences to Pat and his family. When I think of John Leland , I think Clark drive and the great memories at the Lelands and the Conneelys . RIP Mr.Leland.
Jeanne M. Watson
May 31, 2023
John you will never be forgotten you will always be in our heart
Keep dancing.
To your wife and family we offer our complete condolences.
Love,
Godfrey and Jeanne
Marilyn Leland Bennett - NB Canada
May 31, 2023
Marilyn Leland Bennett - NB Canada
May 31, 2023
Marilyn Leland Bennett - NB Canada
May 31, 2023
Sending my deepest sympathy to John´s family. I had the pleasure of meeting him in 2014. I was so happy to be able to fill in some blanks on the Leland family tree and show him around the Caithness and Mascarene shores where our ancestors lived. May God send you all Comfort and Strength in the coming days and nights. May John Rest in Peace.
Jeff LaMont
May 31, 2023
My sincere condolences to John´s family. I meet John when I did the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Course/Training in San Mateo a number of years ago and he was my mentor the class. I won the big award for the class thanks in a large part to his advice and guidance. We became good friends and referred business back and forth we he being in the insurance industry and myself being the the residential real estate business. He had a heart of gold!!He will be missed.
ray dito
May 31, 2023
I was very sorry to read of John's passing. It was a shock. I had hoped we could get together for lunch as we approached a significant mile marker in both our lives. John and I were classmates @St. Annes in the Sunset. We both enjoyed sports especially baseball. We played together on a summer league team "The Sunset Mudhens" (taken from the infamous triple A team) when I was player coach and John was starting pitcher, middle reliever, and closer. He was also a key utility player. I can still see his windup all these years later.
John and I were also "bunkmates" @ St. Joseph's Hospital during the war.
My condolences to his wife and family.
friend
ray dito
Stelios
May 31, 2023
Thank you John!!
You change my life with very simple acts and your positivity thinking! You encouraged me to start dancing!
Joe Cutietta
May 31, 2023
My deepest condolences to Patrick, and all of John's family, friend's, and all the live's he touched. John was a well respected member of the San Mateo Little League American Community. I enjoyed coaching Patrick, and appreciated John's advice, and leadership. R.I.P.
Janet & Tim
May 31, 2023
Our world changes , as do our lives from day to day. The love and fond memories of your Dad will never change. He was very special .While can never find the exact words you all are in our thoughts!!!
Love Janet & Tim
Crystal Meyer
May 31, 2023
I'll never have the pleasure to meet John in person, but I was his employee last year. He was so charismatic, and such a natural salesman, and he was very kind. He liked to give me pep talks, a lot, but his positivity was contagious, and he helped me be a better salesperson, even if I didn't understand some of the sports metaphors. When I decided to leave, to follow my dreams, he was so understanding and said I would crush it, and I've never had a boss who cared about my future and was happy and proud that I was moving on. He was a great man and an Allstate legend, and he will be deeply missed.
Linda Cook
May 31, 2023
Dear Raquel and family. I was so sad to hear of John´s passing. Only knew John for 3 years from taking g classes with John and Raquel from kelly Greens studio. He knew so much about sports. He reminded me of my dad. Will miss him sitting by him in spin class My deepest sympathy
Troy Mozzetti
May 30, 2023
John was more than just my insurance agent, he was a friend and a mentor. He would share his stories, knowledge, and beliefs.
He was one of a kind and I was so blessed to have him in my life.
I will miss his wisdom and our talks.
RIP John
Matt Conneely
May 30, 2023
The Conneely family met the Leland family when they moved to Clark Drive in San Mateo in the late 70's. 7 boys total between the 2 families and we wreaked havoc on the neighborhood for more than a decade. It was some the fondest memories of my life. John Jr, Mike(Leo) and Pat became part of the Conneely family almost instantly. John Sr. (Mr. Leland as we knew him) had met our father as a child in the Sunset District in San Francisco so the history between the 2 families ran deep. Mr. Leland like our father was always a huge sports fan, he lived vicariously through his sons and his passion for baseball was second to none. He was also a kind, compassionate man who always had a smile and sometimes a sigh when one of the boys had done something mischievous. He was a bigger than life figure to me and my brothers. He was also and amazing father and a downright great dude. RIP Mr. Leland, your legacy will live forever with the Conneely boys. We also miss John Jr. who was one of our dear friends.
Matt, Jodi, Jordan and Anabelle Conneely
Judy Moyer
May 30, 2023
John was a life-long special friend to my husband Larry Moyer. John brought laughter to the many conversations I overheard between them. I am grateful and blessed to have met John and feel the support and joy he shared. A true friend! God bless him.
Lorraine Mock
May 29, 2023
John you will be truly missed. I will always remember our times commiserating over the Giants/ 49ers/Warriors wins & losses, going in the wrong direction on the dance floor and your smile & laughter- Your Practice Ballroom follower Lorraine
Janet Vaughan
May 28, 2023
There are not enough words to describe my love for John. I first met John when he was my sons little league coach and, since then he has been my now 16 year old son´s biggest fan. I so looked forward to seeing you at Kelly´s classes and always knew you would have me laughing before and after class. I will miss you more than words can say but I know you would want us to keep laughing, smiling, singing and working out. Until we meet again . . . Love you so much!! Janet & Matthew (aka "The Beast")
Kelly Green
May 28, 2023
I had the privilege of knowing this incredible ,loving , funny and strong man. I met John over 10 years ago and the YMCA and for the last three years he and Raquel would come to my fitness studio in san Mateo up to 5 days a week. He was part of our fitness family - he would sing with us , work so hard in the fitness classes and keep up like a champ in boot camp on Sunday mornings . My life will not be the same without seeing him bright and early in the mornings always ready to chat and have a good time .
He will truly be missed .
Troy K.
May 27, 2023
So sorry to hear of John's passing. Thoughts and prayers to the family. Many great memories from being my baseball coach when I was younger to my neighbor years later. Our talks that started about work usually ended with how we lost the PPSL championship. Your kind soul always lifted my mood. Thank you for your friendship, you are truly missed.
Ron Sosnick
May 27, 2023
John was such a lovely man. We met at Kelly Green Fitness 3 years ago. We were both raised in the Bay Area and shared a love of the Giants, 49ers and Warriors. We both attended the first Giants game in S.F. in 1958 and would reminisce about our younger days. He will truly be missed.
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