John Nobrega Jr.

08/27/1932 - 02/09/2023 John Nobrega Jr. never underestimated the value of service to God, Family and Community and spent the better part of his 90 years on earth successfully pursuing those pillars. Growing up in Pasadena, John was born in 1932, the only child of John Sr. and Helena Nobrega, naturalized US citizens immigrating via Ellis Island from Portugal in the 20's. His youth was spent playing sports and attending catholic schools including graduating from both St. Philip the Apostle in 1949 and St. Francis High School in 1953. Fun fact about John, initially he studied to be a Catholic Priest prior to meeting his wife Pat whom he married in 1956. John and his family moved to Monrovia in 1965. A practical person, John saw Monrovia as a place where he could provide both a wonderful living and educational environment for his young family. They quickly joined Immaculate Conception Church where he remained an active member until 2002. His introduction into civic life came in 1971 when Monrovia undertook a referendum to merge its Fire Department into the Los Angeles County Consolidated Fire Protection District. John became one of the leading community voices to keep "home rule" and the referendum was defeated. This brush with civic engagement let to an appointment to the City's Parks and Recreation Commission where he served from 1972 to 1982 primarily as chair. During this ten-year period, John ran for City Council, not once, not twice, with three times proving to be the charm. As a Monrovia City Councilmember from 1982 - 1994, John served several stints as Mayor Pro-Tem and was liaison to public safety. It was during this period, John put in motion his lifelong goal to have a fire station for Monrovia residents south of the freeway so they too could have the same level of service during fire and medical emergencies as those in the northern part of the community. Professionally, John worked in Food Sales throughout his life for such conglomerates as Armour Star and Nestle; a connection that many non-profits he volunteered with would benefit from over the years. In his version of retirement, he opened "John's Discount Golf" shop on Huntington Drive in Arcadia in 1989 where it remained a fixture until 2008. Even after his Council career ended, John's "City Hall West" continued to host many Monrovians, all stopping by to see if John could still help. John passed away peacefully on February 9 surrounded by his family including his wife of 66 years, Patricia. The city is deeply thankful to John for his many years of service and sends heartfelt sympathies to his wife, son, daughters, and many grand and great grandchildren. John served with distinction in everything he did evidence by his abundance of family and friends. The City of Monrovia is proud to be counted as one of them. Services for John Nobrega will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Cabot & Sons, 27 Chestnut Street, Pasadena, CA starting at 11:00 am with a reception held at his longtime residence at 326 N. Oak Cliff Road, Monrovia CA immediately following.