John DeDios Mena

John sailed around the world nine times for the American President Lines Steamship Co. He served during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Navy as Operations Officer and Navigator of a fleet oiler for two years. Upon meeting and marrying his wife Irene in 1963, he left the sea life to start a family in Fremont. John and Irene had three children; Teresa Echegaray (Erik), John Mena, and Patty Mena (Neal Losey). They had two grandchildren, Monica Echegaray and Nicolas Echegaray (Kendra) and recently, a baby great grandson, Elliott Elijah.

John retired in 1991 as Chief of Cargo Operations of the Military Ocean Terminals in Oakland. He then turned his attention to nature and community service. As a lover of birds and trees, he volunteered in conservation and preservation services for fifteen years at the East Bay Regional Park District. For 26 years, he volunteered in the surgery waiting area at Washington Hospital. He was an Elder at Centerville Presbyterian Church and served weekly in their Free Dining Room for thirteen years. And as a lover of classical music, he supported the Bay Philharmonic since 1974.

John is known for being well spoken and committed to his causes and his Faith. Until the end, he was certainly that, and still had his sense of humor.
John was predeceased by his sister Catherine DiMercurio, and will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Irene, his children and grandchildren, his sisters Carmen Perez and Clara Sala, nieces, nephews, cousins and his many friends.