John L. Cordeniz

John L. Cordeniz, loving husband, cherished father and grandfather passed away unexpectedly at Kaiser Santa Clara Medical Center on August 24, 2020. John was the fourth of five children born on the Pugh Ranch in Tulare, California, to Portuguese immigrants, John and Esperanca (Salles) Cordeniz. In 1933, the family moved to Newark, California, where John attended Newark Grammar School and Washington Union High School. After graduating in 1948, he began full-time work in the family dairy business. On June 6, 1953, after a seven-year courtship, he married Antoinette Elizabeth Pimentel at Holy Spirit Church, Fremont. John and Antoinette were original Glenmoor homeowners for their entire married life. On April 26, 1955, with “Johnny’s” US Army military and induction service pending, his father decided to sell the dairy by auction. John always wished he could have served his country as part of the Greatest Generation. John began his career in sales by completing the Dale Carnegie course in effective speaking and leadership. He said this was the best self-improvement decision he ever made. True to John’s nature, he was awarded the superlative “Mr. Enthusiasm” at the conclusion of the course. He brought his love of sales and people to many businesses over his career: insurance, real estate, Portuguese fraternal organizations, advertising, importers, and Orchard Supply Hardware in Fremont. John’s favorite by far was his last - a partnership in Grissom’s Chapel/Mortuary in San Lorenzo, as his dream was to own his own business. He retired in 1996 to travel with Antoinette. They enjoyed a number of trips with friends and family, visiting many sites around Europe, John’s ancestral home in the Azores Islands of Portugal, and especially the good old USA. As a boy of the Great Depression and the son of Portuguese immigrants, John stayed true to his roots of hard work, self-reliance, and sustainability. Everything could be homemade, grown or fixed - never thrown away or replaced. He usually was there with a helping hand and a tip before you could even ask for help. He was known for his lengthy detailed storytelling, cooking, home remedies, his love of God and country, and his commitment to helping others. Above all, John was a devoted family man who treasured his wife, children, and grandchildren. There was no one he loved more than his family and he would do anything he could to help those he loved. John also enjoyed connecting with relatives and classmates. He was always updating his genealogy and databases. He spent many hours involved in community service for organizations such as S.E.S/P.F.S.A Portuguese societies, Washington Township Men’s Club, SIRS (Sons in Retirement), AARP, and the Portuguese Heritage Society of California. With his family, he enjoyed sharing his Ford F-100 1962 red and white “Dove Truck” in the Holy Spirit Festival parades which turned into a “Patriot Truck” for Glenmoor’s Fourth of July. John is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Antoinette, his loving children: Mark (Joan) Cordeniz of Lake Bluff, Illinois, Michael Cordeniz of Fremont, Elizabeth “Liz” (Tim) Moore of Newark, and Catherine “Cathy” (Derek) Souza of Fremont; grandchildren Martha (Michael) O’Hara, William Cordeniz, Joey (Kayla) Moore, Amy Moore, Zack Souza and Max Souza, along with bonus grandchildren, Michael (Corinne) Souza, Shanna (Bryan) Lerg and bonus great grandson, Owen Lerg. Also survived by sister, Helen Bettencourt, cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. John is predeceased by his parents, John and Esperanca, sister Alice Rose and brothers Manuel and Oliver Cordeniz. The family thanks the caring and compassionate physicians at Kaiser Permanente Fremont and Santa Clara Medical Centers for their care and guidance over the last several years. John could not say enough about the great care he received. Services will be held for the immediate family at Fremont Chapel of the Roses on Tuesday, September 8, and will be streamed to comply with state ordinances. Burial will be private at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward. In John’s memory please consider a donation to Holy Spirit Church or Holy Spirit School, Fremont, or your favorite charity.

John L. Cordeniz

January 26, 1930 - August 24, 2020