John Firenze was born in North Beach San Francisco.  He grew up on a farm in Menlo
Park and walked over two miles to the Church of the Nativity each Sunday, where
the priest would tell parishioners to enjoy the springtime tree blossoms that
carpeted the valley.  John played along San Francisquito Creek and found
seashells in the hills along Sand Hill Road.  John left the Menlo Park train
station for World War 2 where he was a B17 mechanic.   He returned as a hardwood
floor contractor and built a house back on the farm.

He met Mary (Dikum) at a USO dance and their 56 year marriage followed a whirlwind
romance.  He said she was the best thing that ever happened to him.  Son
Michael, daughter Mary (Jaime) and granddaughter Elizabeth miss them both
terribly.  John was always building something with his hands and was
unbelievable with a saw and cans of varnish and stain.  He could identify any
wood at a glance and cut perfect scrolls by hand.

John was known for his quiet kindness and compassion.  He was a good person that we
all wish we could be.  We were blessed to have him in our lives.