Nov. 5, 1951 – May 9, 2018
John Michael Valera, 66, passed away at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in Santa Rosa, CA. Born Nov. 5, 1951 to Federico Valera and Angela (Da Silva) Valera, both from the Philippine Islands. John was born and raised in San Francisco, CA where he met his wife D. Mitzi (Tait) Valera and made the move to Cloverdale, CA, where they resided for 40 years.
He leaves behind his wife and son, John M. Valera Jr. and daughter Vanessa M. (Valera) Bascherini, and son-in-law Blake Bascherini and his two beautiful grandchildren Landen Valera Bascherini and Leila Valera Bascherini.
John was an avid surfer all of his life and shared that passion with his brothers Joey Valera and Jennifer of San Francisco, Rick Valera and his wife Deborah (Scobie) Valera of San Francisco, Fred Valera and wife Chris (Bowes) Valera of Rohnert Park and Carlos Valera of San Jose. He was known as “Pop” to two generations of Valera children, grandkids, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
John worked as a heavy equipment operator for Operating Engineers Local 3 for almost 30 years before going out on disability for esophageal cancer in 2005. He then underwent brain surgery in 2016 for a benign tumor and then was diagnosed with esophageal cancer again in 2017, which eventually took his life.
John was also passionate about his work with the Cloverdale Lions Club, which he was a member of since 1995. Our family is very grateful for the loving support of this club and the many close friendships he formed doing what he loved.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and loved by many friends and will be forever in our hearts. Rest in Peace, Pop; you fought like hell and now you’re free of pain and struggle and missed by all who love you.
John will be cremated through the Neptune Society of Santa Rosa, CA. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sat., June 30, with a 12:30 p.m. Mass at St. Peters Catholic Church, 491 S. Franklin St., Cloverdale. Reception to follow at 427 N. Cloverdale Blvd. Please RSVP to Mitzi at 707-894-5039.
