John R. Lemucchi

We are saddened to announce the passing of John R. Lemucchi. John passed away at the age of 85 with his family at his side. John was born on May 29, 1938, to John and Dorothy Lemucchi in Bakersfield, CA. He attended East Bakersfield High School. He married his wife, Norma, at age 19. John and Norma went on to have two children Johnny and Lori Lemucchi.

John is preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy Lemucchi, his eldest sister Margurite Parham, and his baby sister Rose Wiggs.

John is survived by his beloved, wife, Norma Lemucchi, his son Johnny Lemucchi, and daughter-in-law Caroline Lemucchi, his daughter Lori Santillana and son-in-law Martin Santillana; his grandchildren, Johnny Lemucchi Jr., Brandon Lemucchi, and fiance Jackie, David Lemucchi, Deanna Santillana, Marcus Santillana and wife Nora Santillana; his great-grandchildren Norma Lemucchi and Harper Santillana and nieces and nephews.

John was a loving, thoughtful, inspiring, and caring man dedicated to his family. He was an amazing man who always put others before himself. He was always supportive, understanding, and motivated in life. John was one of a kind. We could always count on him to be on the sidelines or in the audience.

John was raised in Bakersfield. He grew up in a close-knit Italian family and learned the importance of family, friends, and food. In his late teens, he raised calves and sold them at the auction. Then he entered the meat industry as a butcher and became superintendent. John finished his career as a general manager of a processing plant. He was married to his wife Norma for 66 years. He played in a men’s baseball league as a young man and was involved in the Knights of Columbus. He moved to South Gate, CA in his late 20’s. John has lived in South Gate and Downey, CA for more than 60 years. He enjoyed time outdoors in his yard, talking to friends, camping, going on cruises with family and friends, dinners with family, and watching his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids at their events. He looked forward to his daily calls from his family and friends. He started coaching youth football, baseball, and basketball when he was 24 years old. John has touched many lives and has made many friends over the years. John enjoyed going to Bass Lake with his family for many years as his children grew up. He looked forward to his yearly Buena Vista Lake trips with his family and his many trips to Mountain Lakes with family and friends. He enjoyed meeting with his McDonald’s group in the mornings for coffee and gossip sessions. John valued his family the most out of anything. Everything he did had some sort of family connection. John was admired and loved by all and will be greatly missed.

A viewing and Rosary will be held on January 3, 2024, from 4 pm to 8 pm at Miller Mies Mortuary in Downey, followed by a Mass on January 4, 2024, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey. A graveside service will be on January 6, 2024, at 12:00 pm at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bakersfield where he will be laid to rest.