Mr. John Granieri, was born in San Antonio, Texas over 96 years ago.  His parents were Anthony and Guilia Granieri.  Upon her untimely death at childbirth; Anthony subsequently married, his sister-in-law, Armanda, so that the children would have a mother to raise them.  As it was also the custom of the time, John was also nursed and raised by his Aunt Elizabeth and Aunt Lily.

John grew up and worked on the family farm located on the shore line of Salado Creek on the Southeast side of the city, which continues to be in full operation by his niece and nephew, Mary Ann and Frankie Granieri.  When the country school closed, John came to live in the downtown area, and attended Bonham Elementary School.  Once downtown, he subsequently worked at the family owned grocery store on Flores St, a neighbor to the Judson Candy store.

John attended Brackenridge High School with his beloved cousin, Robert Scalise.  Just prior to graduation, John being one for adventure, volunteered along with his cousin Robert Scalise to work in Civil Service overseas in England, a USA Lend Lease agreement project, which was also a very Top-Secret project known only then and now as the "STATION X PROJECT."  Adding to the adventure, John traveled to New York by train then to England on the most glamorous ship of its time, the Queen Elizabeth I.  While in Blackpool, England, John and Robert were assigned to perfect the British conquering Air Fighter, the "SPITFIRE."  From Blackpool as his base of travel, John traveled all over England and Scotland.

Returning to the States, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy; where John heroically and with valor, served the Pacific seas upon the small but valiant Navy Minesweeper, the USS HOWARD, clearing the seas of mines prior to and during the most horrific battles such as Tarawa, Makin, Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

During one of these heroic battles, John was wounded by enemy rifle fire coming from the shore line.  But rather than report the injury as it had occurred, John claimed he had been injured on the ship.  John took this action instead; because of the then recent death of his brother, Frank, who was in the U.S. Army, and died in battle in the fierce fighting action of Anzio, Italy.

John, following the end of the War in the Pacific, he was released from duty and returned to his home in San Antonio.  John began his new life in the Civil Service at Kelly Air Force Base, in aircraft repair and maintenance.  John concluded his career as a Chief Aircraft Maintenance Repair Inspector.  It was his job to make sure the aircraft were repaired expertly well before he would sign off the work performed.

Upon returning to San Antonio, love blossomed upon his meeting of the then, Rose Marie Granata.  After a period of courtship, John proposed the question, and the positive answer was re-answered for a consecutive love filled 67 years.  John and his bride Rose were married at the Italian Community Catholic Church of San Francesco di Paola.  Their happiness brought and is survived by their oldest daughter Janice, and subsequently her marriage to (Deacon) Richard Hobbs and family of daughters: Michelle Irene and Lisa Marie and Joel Ortiz.  The marriage of their youngest daughter JoAnn to Ronnie Coleman and family of Shannon-Rose and daughter Mikayla and marriage to Simon Villegas and daughter Trinity; their son John Walker Coleman and fiancé Nicole Vanover and her daughter Kaydence.

Papa is also survived by his sister in law, Rose Marie Granieri; niece, Mary Ann and nephew, Frank Granieri; brothers in law: Frank and Louie Granata; and sister-in-law, Jackie Granata.

Because of their love of family, John and Rose were asked countless times to serve as Godparents, and to this day their example of love and family continues to be the role model for numerous families in the San Antonio area.  Papa respected the need for education for his grandchildren so much that, in his later years of life, he proudly attained his GED.

There are far too many and innumerable ways and examples of how John showed his love but probably none better than at Christmas Time, where Papa served as Santa Claus, which lasted yearlong because of the love for his family and his many friends.  He especially enjoyed trips to the coast, at Rockport, where he served as Chief Hook Baiter.  And there were the countless and countless occasions whether during the day or when there was the need he would awaken in the middle of the night, to go out and offer some form of rescue to someone in need.

Papa was not a showman but much more certain; he was a hero to us all, even as a simple man that gave his all, to all and felt rewarded when he could be absorbed by the beauty of the majesty of the Lord's Texas Full Moon.  The Rising Moon we his family celebrated the night of his death as a Christmas Present of and for His life.

Papa, was predeceased in death by the love of his life, Rose Marie, his mother, Guilia and step mother, Armanda Granieri; father, Anthony Granieri; brothers: Frank and Anthony, (Uncle Jr.) and Ernest; and his sister, Annie and brother in law, Frank Fabrizzio; sister in law, Mary Mendez; and is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and godchildren, friends, U.S. Navy USS HOWARD surviving crew members, Kelly Air Force Base co-workers, fellow members of the Christopher Columbus Italian Society and the Francescani Society; John was a lifelong member of the San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church.

Celebration of Life for Papa

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 26 ^th from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

at The Angelus Funeral Home

The Celebration of Life will take place Thursday, December 27 ^th at 12:15 P.M.

also at The Angelus Funeral Home

1119 N. St. Mary's St.,

officiated by Papa's son-in-law, Deacon Richard Hobbs.

Interment will follow at

Sunset Memorial Park on Austin Hwy.

with military honors

Serving as pallbearers will be:

David Meloni, John Walker Coleman, Anthony Pizzi, Blas Pizzi, Simon Villegas,

Dwayne Marroquin, Joel Ortiz, Joseph Granato and Eli Dierkhsing.

Honorary pallbearers:

Frank Granieri, Michael Catalani, Anthony Martino, Johnny Fabrizzio,

Ivan Grabhorn, Michael Wise, John Wise, Kyle Quibrosi, Louie Lecocke,

Carl Lecocke, Frank Bianchi.