In Memory

John Concialdi

Born December 11, 1944, John Concialdi grew up on Rosewood in South Gate with his parents, Charlie and Laura, and brother Vince.  He attended St. Emydius Grammar School and Pius X High School until the 11th grade when he came to South Gate. His likeable, fun, friendly personality made it easy for him to fit in!  He loved and played baseball at South Gate Park and knew lots of our baseball players and classmates.  On the JV team his junior year and a varsity pitcher our senior year, he made lifelong friends with fellow teammates, Tod Wakefield and Dick Jones. His home was often filled with friends working on cars or when his Mom made the "best pizza" for the boys, and Sunday family dinners sometimes included various girfriends of Johnny and Vince.  He was also a member of the Tartar’s Car Club and was often seen “cruising Tweedy!” 

John attended East LA College, playing baseball two years and majoring in Education to be a teacher and coach. He put aside those dreams and followed another dream by playing a short time with the Dodgers “Rookie Scout Team” until an injury put an end to his potential baseball career but never an end to being a Yankee Fan!

In mid-1964 he was reintroduced to a friend of his brother Vince’s, who had gone to St. Emydius and Pius, Shari Letson.  It wasn’t long before he knew she was the love of his life and they were married in October 1965.  They had three daughters, Stacy, Wendy and Tammy, who rocked the world as she was born the night before the Sylmar Earthquake!  They lived in Lakewood, moved to Simi Valley and eventually Moorpark.   Shari and John coached the girls in softball through the years and took their traveling fast-pitch team to Australia.  Coincidentally, Johnny gave his brother Vince classmate Bonnie Benson’s phone number to call because “she was a sweet girl and one he could bring home to their Mom!”  The rest is history!

In 1967 John joined the LA Sheriff’s Department, having a wide variety of assignments:  SWAT Team; Special Enforcement Bureau, which they were involved in the East LA riots and a raid on the Spahn Ranch where they arrested Charlie Manson; coordinator for the Mounted Posse out of West Hollywood; and worked with the Sheriff’s Training Bureau with a unit that developed and produced training films for Law Enforcement, as well as doing technical advising for the film industry.  He also got his teaching credential in Law Enforcement and taught at a junior college. An on-duty injury caused an early retirement in 1983, although those times as a "cop" remained his most favorite!  He was known as a “cop’s cop!”  And, he dearly loved our country and was proud to be an American!!!

In 1985 he obtained his contractors license and opened a cabinet shop, specializing in cabinetry for custom homes, but the building crunch caused the business to close and he went back to what he knew best and worked as a body guard and insurance claims adjuster.  In 2000 he attended the United States Golf Teachers Federation & the PGA and became a golf instructor and eventually Head Golf Professional at Rustic Canyon Golf Course in Moorpark.  There's so much more to his full and interesting life so be sure to read John's Classmate Profile!

Shari and John had 40 years of Sunday family dinners with the girls and their famiies before moving to Prescott Arizona in 2017.  As loving grandparents, they made it a point to go to all the activities of their grandchildren, Madison, Trevor, Jessica, Payton, Riley and Breanna and supported them in all they were involved with.  Concialdi Christmas began and was held mostly at Shari and John's home and included Vince and Bonnie and their growing families.  Family is everything to them!

Surrounded by his loving family, John passed away January 19, 2022 from pneumonia and two strokes.  A huge loss and void to so many!  To his friends he was a true and lasting friend, to his family and Shari, he was everything…a loving, faithful husband and protector, wonderful, loving, involved father, father-in law, grandfather and best friend and mentor, brother, brother-in-love, and uncle.  Protect and serve was his truly lived-out motto.  He was one in a billion and dearly loved.  Rest in peace in the arms of Jesus, dear Johnny.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Prescott Arizona on Saturday, February 26, 2022 for family and close friends.

 



 
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02/18/22 02:29 PM #6    

Hilaire Dufresne

I remember John fondly from High School, he was always friendly and never at a loss for a joke. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends. Not only is his pasing a loss to them, it's a loss to our entire class. 


02/18/22 05:45 PM #7    

Diane Curry (Brewer)

I just turned my computer on and learned of John's untimely passing.  I had several linteresting conversations with John around the 50th reunion about he and his family being Yankees fans as my son and his family were at that time.  He also told me about some of his law enforcement duties, and I was very impressed.  Not too long ago he had given me information about Prescott AZ as my husband and I were considering moving to Prescott.  I know how close the Concialdi family is and I know it will be a huge loss for them.  Our condolences to them.


02/19/22 09:29 AM #8    

Jim Blumel

I didn't know John either, but I see people posting who I remember, and it brings back a lot of memories, I just want to say hello to anyone who remembers me and share my sense of loss with all.


02/20/22 07:14 AM #9    

Claudia McQueen (Avicola)

My sincere condolences to John's family.  He certainly left his family and friends a wonderful legacy of love and service.


02/20/22 01:29 PM #10    

Suzanne Fuller (Boyer)

Sorry to hear about his passing.  Suzanne Fuller Boyer


02/20/22 07:25 PM #11    

Charles Klumpp

My condolences to the family of John Concialdi. I did not know John while at SGHS but reading from what has been posted, he was the type of person we all would like to have as a friend.

About 30 years ago I was in church and picked up a piece of paper off the floor and it read:
"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year and asked, Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied, go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you brighter than any light and safer than a known way! So I went forth and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night"

Rest in peace John, my fellow classmate.

 


02/21/22 09:15 AM #12    

Sue King (Ross)

I just got back from Arizona and saw article. My heart and prayers go out to Shari and family also brother Vince and family.  I remember John with a smile and will coninue to do so. God neede this fine man by his side. God bless all.

 


07/01/22 02:51 PM #13    

Bonnie Benson (Concialdi)

What a tremendous loss to our family!  Johnny was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, Vince's brother, brother-in-love and friend!  He was the "big brother" I never had and when he once called me his "Little Sis" my heart was touched forever!  We were blessed to spend Christmas Day/evening with him, Shari, two of their girls and their families and we have such special memories of that last time together!  Covid stopped our Concialdi Christmas, which we have had for probably 40 years on each December 26, but that night as Vince and I drove home from Santa Clarita in a torrential rain storm, Johnny had me texting him all the way home to make sure we were safe.  I told him I was being a good navigator with him and he told me that I was the "flight attendant!"  We got home safe and sound and I have the stream of precious texts to keep forever!  Johnny was fun, protective, strong, a dedicated patriot, loved family and friends, and he always had our backs!  Through the years when Vince and I were dating, to married, to when Shari and Johnny were married, Concialdi family dinners were always fun and special, including our Concialdi Christmas!  Our hearts are broken and we will miss him forever, but I know we will see him again in Heaven and he's watching over all of us!  Love you, Johnny, rest in peace!

     


07/01/22 06:29 PM #14    

Judy Hanson (Dillard)

I was afraid of John for a while when I first got to South Gate as he was a big joker and I did not know how to take him. There were hellos in passing but we weren't buddies. My Heartfelt Condolences & Prayers to the entire Concialdi Clan.


07/02/22 12:27 PM #15    

Al Varela

So sorry for your loss, Bonnie and to John's family.  May he rest in peace, and for his family to find peace and comfort in the knowledge that they all shared in John's wonderful life and love.


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