John Joseph Romagnoli Jr.

John Joseph Romagnoli was born on January 25, 1945, to John Sr. and Mary Romagnoli of Fresno, California. After a three-year battle with ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, he died in the arms of his loving wife at their home on April 30, 2023.

John graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School in 1963.

On May 13, 1967, John married the love of his life! Elaine and John met while both attending Fresno City College, introduced by a mutual friend.

In 1970, the couple welcomed their first son, Greg. In 1973, they had a second son, Tom, to complete their family.

The brothers both enjoyed growing up in their close knit Italian family. John and his sons joined the Verdi Club. John was a past president of the Verdi Club and was a member for four decades.

Greg died unexpectedly in 2009, leaving behind his wife, two small children and a baby on the way.

After attending college, John became a member of the Air National Guard 144th division.

John was part owner of All-State and Aquazyme sanitation companies. He also farmed grapes and later almonds on Fresno's west side. John was very talented; he designed and fabricated cover crop machines. He could also weld, fix just about anything and hang a picture in no time flat with precision every time.

John's quick wit and sense of humor made him likable to everyone. His love of practical jokes would create anticipation in visitors who would be on guard waiting for his next prank. He was an avid sporting clay shooter, and won the Sun Mountain Gun Club's Series Championship Shoot-out in 2011. John had a passion for accordion music and took lessons later in life. As it turned out he was a natural! He owned several accordions and entertained his family with his music.

John grew up in his family as the only son with three sisters. He and the extended family spent lots of time together during holidays and vacations, always laughing of course.

He stayed very connected to his Catholic faith. John and Elaine have donated extensively to St. Mary's Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church where they would regularly attend Mass.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Mary Romagnoli, his son Greg Romagnoli, and brother-in-law Edward Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife, Elaine, his son Tom Romagnoli (Tommie), daughter-in-law Jadine Romagnoli, grandchildren Lucas, Gianna and Mia Romagnoli and Angela, Brian and Autumn, great-grand children Savannah, Nathan, Emily and Emmett, his sisters Julie (LeRoy) Sabbatini, Bernadette Jones and Janice (Rod) Andreasen. Nephews, nieces and countless extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

John will be remembered in a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church at 10:00 am following a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 9:30 am on Friday, May 19. There will be a visitation at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, May 18, between 4:00 pm-7:00 pm.

Memorials can be made in honor of John to the ALS Association Golden West Chapter or to St. Mary's Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church.