John Michael Marone

“Anything is possible.” That is what John Michael Marone believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. John thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. John was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

John was born on August 19, 1946 at San Jose Hospital in San Jose, California. His parents were Edward Mack Marone and Katherine Anne Freitas. John was raised in East San Jose, California. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, John could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on John's family relationships. John was raised with two siblings. He had a sister, Pam, and a younger brother, David. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, John was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, John could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. He was a Boy Scout. In his spare time he liked to build model cars. John's memorable achievements included making his first Holy Communion.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, John enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. John was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He attended Andrew Hill High School and James Lick High School. John graduated In 1964. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was Woodshop.

John was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, John was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found John to be very stimulating company. John's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his friends were Shirley Watson, Cathy Blazedale, The Caramella's, The Abacherli's, Ernie Rose, The Decker's, and The Carpenter's. Later in life, he became friends with The Phillip's, The Flores, The Castillo's, The Kilduff's, The Soto's, and The Vargas families.

On June 16, 1964 John exchanged wedding vows with Barbara Diane Guerrero at the Justice of the Peace in Carson City, Nevada. John was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. John was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. John was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Barbara. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that John loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Barbara's.

John's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. John was blessed with three children, two daughters, Michelle Antionette and Colleen Anne, and one son, John David. He was also blessed with five grandchildren, Ambrosia Dawn, Delanie Anne, Cameron Joshua, Chandler Marone, and Savannah Rose. Someone who was quick to laugh, John found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

As a born inventor, John was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. John was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. John was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. His primary occupation was in auto manufacturing. He was employed for Ford Motor Co. In 2006, he worked for Home Depot, and from 2007 to 2008, John worked for Walmart. John always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

John's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since John was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that John simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were gardening and tinkering on bicycles.

John's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. Recreational sports included bowling and billiards. John was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were boxing, football and Nascar.

John was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. His keen interest and strong values led him to become active in his community. Politically, John was a part of "The Green Party".

Faith and religion were important to John. He was a member St. Joseph's Church in Cupertino, California. During that time, he was involved with his first Holy Communion.

John was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. Some of John's favorites were his three German Shepherds, Shotzie, Big Guy and Tina. They were best friends for 12 years. His family was rounded out by his cats. John was known as the "Cat Man", and his cat "Baby Girl" is missing him terribly.

Even while in retirement, John never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In 1974, his new life involved remaining in San Jose, California. In retirement, he found new pleasure in building and gardening. He was known to have a "green thumb". Even in retirement, John continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

John passed away on May 25, 2012 at home in San Jose, California due to COPD and Diabetes. He is survived by his children Michelle, Colleen and John; his grandchildren Ambrosia, Delanie, Cameron, Chandler and Savannah; his sister Pam, and brother David; and his nephew David. Services were held at Oak Hill Funeral Home in the Chapel of Roses in San Jose, California.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to John. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. John was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For John, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For John Michael Marone, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.