Fireman, Fire Station 40
Deceased:
July 10, 2020
Appointed:
03/16/1948
Pensioned:
06/01/1978 – FS40
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
I was a Rookie at 6’s ….and was wonderful to work with..
a fabulous person…memories of him are many. Bless dear John.
August 1968 I was transferred to Fire station 35 for my second probationary assignment. John was immediately likable. Soft-spoken, steady, always polite and thoughtful. He drove a diesel Mercedez-Benz sedan to work but he owned and on 4 days he worked his orange orchard in Porterville, Ca. He was an unassuming solid role model for me. It was a time when almost the entire crew just fit together well. Most of the crew were seasoned veterans. John, Marshal Willet, Bill Morris, and Ed Chilson were the veteran firemen and Erwin Woody and Elmer Nordquist the veteran Engineers. Willy Friend, the Apparatus Operator, and Gerry Mac Hale were the younger members. They all treated me with more respect and dignity than a rookie ought to expect. John exemplified the seasoned firefighter. It was a very happy time for me.
John lived very near 35’s district and he once pointed out the Lithuanian church that he attended.
John would often break into song singing in Lithuanian, the language of his culture and heritage. To this day I sometimes try to sing along without understanding the exact meaning of the words. Romobom bisco beganita sussay monyah . . . la vie gerhi. I did ask him what the words meant and he just said ‘its a little tune about a shepherd that fell in love with the sheep. So tonight, it is my tribute to John that I sing that little ditty in his honor. Rombom bisco beganita sussay monyah . . . la vie gerhi.
I am so glad that I knew him and that he lived long but saddened to learn of his passing. May God bless you, John. I will always have fond memories of you!