John was born December 4, 1938, to Manuel and Mary Baptista in New Bedford, Mass, the youngest of nine children. John went to school in New Bedford and then joined the Air Force in 1957, where he completed his boot camp training at San Antonio, Texas. John was then stationed at March Air Force Base, in Riverside, California. In 1966, John moved to San Jose, where he attended barber college. In 1970, he bought his first barber shop. John moved his barber shop several times, finally settling at Avanti Hair for Men.
In 1977, John became a realtor and worked for several real estate companies. John flourished as a realtor; he was the number one salesman many times.
John retired from barbering after 51 years at the end of 2017. He continued selling real estate on a part-time basis. He will be missed by his family, friends and customers.
John is survived by his wife Joyce, their children Janet Napolitano (Alec), Jeff Baptiste, and Jerry Baptiste (Kathy), seven grandchildren, Stephanie Yannone, Shannon Kerrigan, Ryan Kerrigan, Colin Baptiste, Noah Baptiste, Brittany Baptiste, and Rayleen Woodeum, four great-grandchildren, Sean Teal, Katelynn Teal, Rowan Kerrigan and Emma Woodeum. and his sister, Cecelia Gibbs. John is predeceased by his parents Manuel and Mary Baptista, brothers Tony, Joe, Ernie and Alfred and sisters Theresa, Beatrice and Rose.
A funeral service will be held for John at 11 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2019 at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow Street, San Jose. Burial to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Road, San Jose.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army in John's name.
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