parents, Eliodoro and Erminia Covarrubias. He passed on January 27th, 2021, from
complications brought about by COVID-19. He was 77 years old.
Juan Jose was a jack of all trades: a landscaper, a welder, a sandblaster, you name it and he
could do it. He worked for the Chula Vista Elementary School District for 15 years, as a
Custodial Engineer at Mae L. Feaster Elementary School. He was able to see all of his children
pass through those halls and even some of his grandchildren. Juan was beloved by all who
worked with him, teachers and student alike. He proudly retired in 2004.
One of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet, he taught his children to have pride in their work
and a major work ethic. He was a tiny man but with a giant heart and even bigger smile. He
loved his Padres, Las Chivas, music, food, cowboy boots and hats and his native Mexico. He
loved his movies, westerns, comedies, action/adventure: he watched them all, but his most
favorite were the old black and white films from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.
He was fond of yard and estate sales and taking something that was once dull and giving it a
shine once again. Juan Jose was stern when he needed to be but was a big optimist. He
wanted everyone to, “Worry less and enjoy life More”. He loved to laugh and tell jokes and he
was a consummate prankster.
Juan Jose made sure that family was the most important thing, and he and his brothers and
sisters would hammer this motto into the hearts of their kids: “Familia above anything else.”
There are not enough words in both English or Spanish to describe what a wonderful father,
grandfather, brother, and friend Juan Jose was, and he takes with him a little piece of
everyone’s heart; pieces that we will fill with a lifetimes’ worth of memories of laughter and love.
He is survived by his wife Rosa and five of his six children: Angelica, Jose (Lolo), Ernesto
(Neto), Marco and Juan Jose Jr., his brother, Emilio Covarrubias Nuño, his sister Jesus
Covarrubias Flores, as well as 15 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Juan Jose was preceded in death by brothers, Santiago and Bardomiano Covarrubias Nuño,
sister Magdalena Covarrubias Nuño and sister Inez Covarrubias Cortez. His youngest daughter,
Monica Covarrubias, also succumbed to COVID-19, four days after Juan, on January 31st,
2021.
Funeral/Viewing services will be held on Monday, February 8th, 2021 at 3pm at El Cajon
Mortuary and Cremation 684 S Mollison Ave. El Cajon, CA 92020. Mass will be Tuesday,
February 9th, 2021 at 11am at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, 10818 San Diego Mission
Rd., San Diego, CA. 92108.
