John Albert Michelli

John Albert Michelli, 74, of Alpine, California, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020. He reached the End of the Trail peacefully with his daughters at his side and a legacy of love and achievement in his wake.

John was born September 13, 1946 to Stephanie Valeria Michelli and John P. Michelli. To friends on his childhood streets of Chicago he was known as Big John: tall, strong, and the outgoing soul at the heart of everything. In these adventurous early years, he fell into perfect orbit with the love and center of his life, Beverly Jo Michelli, who survives him in death with the glorious memories of their 52 years of marriage.

To shake hands with John was to know the value of a man’s word. He believed in hard work and giving no less than everything to one’s duty. This spirit led to a successful business career where he rose to leadership of a national inventory company. A change of scenery in the mid 1980’s brought his family to San Diego where he learned all he could about the construction industry, earned his contractors license, and went on to build finely crafted homes along the coastline. In his retirement years he helped to start a Chicago-style restaurant based on his own childhood favorites.

To break bread with John was to know the gusto of the Italian spirit through food. He was an amazing chef, pouring love and careful detail into everything from a six-course dinner to a small batch of upside-down pineapple pancakes. The ritual of cooking and serving for others brought him such joy and no soul was allowed to be alone or go hungry when gathering around a table – even if it meant over 40 people cozied up around his sacred Thanksgiving feast.

To speak with John was to hear the living essence of the Cowboy Code that drove him: Defend the Defenseless, Protect the Earth, Live with Honor, Walk with Courage. In Chicago, he was co-founder of the Mangini Youth Center. Living in Alpine, he was a Confirmation class teacher for teenagers at Queen of Angels parish. He loved Native cultures and embraced the uncluttered notions of family and societal good. His word was his bond.

John was bigger than life and leaves behind an equally large hole in the hearts of his beloved Beverly, his daughter Jessica Falk Michelli and her husband Cordell, his daughter Jennifer Martignetti and her husband Marc, his mother Valeria Welsch, his brother Gary Michelli, his faithful dog Luke, and the precious lights of his later years, his grandchildren, Aubrey, Logan, Giovanni, and Deangelo. We pray in time this wound will be filled with the warmth of memories and the spirit that he brought to this world - Cent’Anni.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Michelli family may be shared at www.elcajonmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers please consider supporting John’s legacy with a donation to Heifer International, at www.heifer.org, which provides sustainable assistance around the world, to www.feedingamerica.org a food bank resource to share his wish for everyone to have a full table, or to your local animal shelter.

Due to COVID restrictions and for the health and safety of everyone that cared for John, a Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on December 16, 2020 at 10:00am PST so everyone can attend virtually. The Funeral Mass will also be recorded so family and friends can watch at a later time.

"Below is the live-stream link for the Funeral Mass. This link will take you directly to the live-stream at the Immaculata. Click the triangle “play” button in the middle of the screen. The video will begin as soon as the Mass starts, so don’t worry if you join a little early and nothing is happening.

Live-stream: https://player2.streamspot.com/?playerId=9b156d38

If you are unable to watch the live-stream, you can use this same link at a later time to watch a recording of the Funeral Mass. From this link, click the “i” button on the right side to view previous broadcasts. After about a week you will need to search for “Michelli Funeral”.

Please use this link to sign the virtual guest book so that our family will know who attended. All of your condolences and intentions will be printed as a memorial keepsake book.

Virtual Guest Book: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/el-cajon-ca/john-michelli-9923857/add-memory

Please feel free to share this information with anyone who may wish to attend. Thank you for all of your love and support during this difficult time."