John Francis Riley Lamm

 

 

 

 Life Legacy

John Francis Riley Lamm of San Lorenzo, California was born in Oakland, California, on November 4, 1923. He passed away peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by family at his home on May 21, 2022. 

A loving husband, beloved father of five children, proud grandfather of ten and caring Pop Pop of fourteen. John graduated from Oakland High School after attending St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda. He worked at the Oakland Tribune for forty-two years, then owned Friedman’s Microwave Store in Dublin, California. He served as a glider mechanic in the Army Air Corps for four years during World War II and was stationed in France and Germany. He married his lovely wife, Rita, in 1949. Together they raised five children. They lived on a small street where the neighbors became like extended family. John and Rita loved to travel. They took their children on a car trip around the United States in 1965. As a couple they traveled extensively, visiting fifty countries. They took the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren on a cruise to celebrate their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries where they renewed their vows. His greatest joy was his family. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Diocesan Council of Catholic Men, Honorary Member of the St. Gerard’s Women’s Club, and a Lector at St. John’s Catholic Church. He was a member of Tribune Go-Getters and World War II Glider Pilots Association. He married several grandchildren, a niece, and a nephew, as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner and also delivered Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed painting, gardening and family get togethers. In his later years he spent many happy hours and took trips with his friend, Mildred. Recently, he had compassionate caregivers and enjoyed getting back rubs and loved hearing them sing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Riley and Ann (Van Liempd) Lamm and his sisters Mina Thompson, Ginny (Tom) Mulhern, and Ann (Dean) Cannon; his wife, Rita and sons, John and Joseph. He is survived by his daughters, Paulette (Doug) Sandy, Catherine (Dennis Brown) Lamm, Theresa (Charles) Dyer; his grandchildren Kim (Rick) DeCosta, David (Nickie) Lamm, Peter (Sarah Ho) Brown, Emily (Nick) Griego, Major Brown-Lamm, Donyé (Taelor Ruffolo) Brown-Lamm, CJ (Dae) Dyer, Jennifer (Guilluame) Issaverdens, Katelyn (Jonathan) Pryor, Zachary (Holly) Dyer; great-grandchildren Nicki, Justin, Jake, Blake, Danica, Stella, Jerick, Carson, West, Tiphaine, Camryn, Dylan, Elle, and Rhett.