John Fausto Jacomella

Was born in Arcata, California on August 5, 1928 to Sidney and Martha Jacomella. He died on January 11, 2011 at Pacific Health Care in Eureka, California at the age of 82. John married Helen Jean Scarabelli (Lucia Giovanna Elena Scarabelli) on January 7, 1956 at the Church of Immaculate Conception in Vancouver, British Columbia. John was a barber for 60 years and known to many as "John the Barber." He was a lifelong member of St. Bernard's Catholic Parish in Eureka, California and was the first to propose the idea of bringing a St. Vincent de Paul to Eureka. John was visiting his father-in-law in Canada when he was told of all the good St. Vincent de Paul was doing there. When John returned home, he approached Sister Jean Terese of the Sisters of Orange with the idea of a St. Vincent de Paul Conference in Eureka. She thought it was an excellent idea. In 1963, with the help of Monsignor Farrell, the conference was established. The first members of the St. Bernard's Conference were: James Bordman, Ernest Burger, Charles Cavagnaro, Donald Cloney, Tony Gosselin, Sr., Robert Lalond, and John Jacomella. John was recently honored by the National Society of St. Vincent de Paul as the Founding President of the establishment of the first society of St. Vincent de Paul in Humboldt County. John is survived by his eldest son, Michael Jacomella of San Francisco, California; eldest daughter and son-in-law Marca and John Kime of Eureka, California; daughter Ann Jones of Eureka, California; and son John Jacomella of Sparks, Nevada. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Katie Kime, Kelly Kime, Andrew Kime, Brandon Jones, and Matthew Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Helen Jacomella. At John's request, no services will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul. Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA, 707-442-3751, www.piercemortuarychapels.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on January 23, 2011