John Vasquez Suarez

“Johnny” was born on October 12, 1944, in Juarez, Mexico. His family soon after migrated through El Paso, Texas, and eventually found residency in Murray, Utah, where he grew up and spent his early childhood. He was the fourth of eight children born to Bernardo Suarez and Elvira Vasquez Suarez. His grandmother, Trinidad Vasquez, raised him until her sudden passing when he was just 11 years old, teaching Johnny strength and resilience from a young age.

He attended Granger High School, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Delgado. They graduated together in 1965 and were married on April 22, 1967. They went on to have two beautiful children, John Mario and Bernedette Trinidad.

Although he loved quiet moments with the family, Johnny lived life in the fast lane, a trait he carried with him from his youth racing cars late at night with his friends and attending drag races. His love for cars was never ending, he enjoyed visiting local car shows and could always be seen sporting a car t-shirt, and dreaming of owning a 1969 Corvette Stingray.

Just as much as he loved the thrill, Johnny was known for his humor that kept everyone on their toes. He was the definition of mischievous, always cooking up some playful scheme or harmless trouble that left those around him laughing, often finding himself at the butt of a joke. Whether he was making others laugh or laughing at himself, he never took life too seriously, and that made him even more loved. With nothing more than a raised eyebrow and the hint of a smirk at the corner of his lip, he could bring a smile to anyone’s face. An expression uniquely his, and one that will be remembered forever.

Family meant everything to him. He took meticulous care and pride in his yard, creating a space where children of all generations could play, and where family gathered to enjoy each other’s company, usually over a delicious meal. Known for being a fantastic cook and having co-owned The Maya restaurant at Valley Fair Mall with his parents and brothers in the 80s, he made sure to pass down his family recipes through generations so his legacy could live on through his food. The greatest compliment you could receive after cooking one of his recipes was that it tasted the way “he remembered”, as if he made it himself and saved it all this time to enjoy once more.

Always seeking the next adventure, he spent his later years enjoying quality time with his brothers getting coffee at Ogies Cafe, going to the movies when there was finally something that piqued his interest and his never ending mission to find the next best Mexican restaurant.

Johnny was a hard worker, dedicating many years to the Tooele Army Depot and Kennecott Utah Copper before proudly retiring in 2009 from the Salt Lake City Corporation as an equipment operator, with his work coat titling his crew as “The Snow Fighters”.

He is survived by his children, John (Angie) Suarez Jr. and Bernedette Robertson; 11 grandchildren, Jessica (Deonte Sr), Cherish (David), Kandi (Zack), Angel, Sophie (Chris), Orion, Toby, Katie, Alex, Marcus, Joesiah; 4 step grandchildren, Vince (Mariah), Tyler (Kaycee), Zack (Jolene), and Keaton; 20 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. He is also survived by daughter Jennifer Valdez; his brothers Jerry, Louie, and Ralph (Tracy) Suarez; sisters-in-law Sally Delgado and Shirlene Suarez; brother-in-law, Salvador (Nonnie) Delgado, and extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Suarez; his parents, Bernardo Sr. and Elvira Suarez; his brothers Cecil, Bernardo Jr., and Richard Suarez; his sister Trinidad Suarez; his mother and father-in-law, Alexis and Salvador Delgado; his son-in-law, James “Jimmy” Robertson; and other close family members.

Mass and Rosary will be held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church on Friday, April 10th, 2026, at 10:30am. Luncheon will be held at the same location following church services. Address is: 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, UT 84129.