John Oliva was born on June 12, 1931, in Mitchell, Nebraska, to Josepha and John Oliva. He passed away peacefully to His Kingdom on December 9, 2022, at the age of 91,with his family surrounding him. He was a resident of Ventura County for 67 years.
He grew up in Nebraska. His dad moved the whole family in 1946 west to Modesto, California, where he was then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. He served in the Korean War as a Corporal , and received the Good Conduct Medal.
He met Mary, and they were married for 48 years.
He was a hard-working man – worked from sun up to sun down all his life. He became a Strawberry Rancher, starting his business, Oxnard Berry Farms, with his brother, Tom Oliva. He then became a longshoreman with ILWU Port Hueneme, in the 1995, and retired in 2018 at the age of 87.
He and his wife used to travel the United States, with Mt. Rushmore being his favorite. He enjoyed BBQing for family parties or occasions. After retirement, he loved to be outside working on different projects and keeping the yard up. He had quite the memory and talent for identifying cars across the decades, which is why he had such fondness for his vehicles that he owned throughout his life.
He is preceded by his father, mother; wife, Mary; sisters, Alberta & Carmen; brother, Roger; daughter, Kathryn.
He leaves behind brothers, Tom (Connie), Sherman, Victor; daughters, Josie, Eleanor, Virginia; sons, Danny (Diane), Ruben (Susan). He had 14 grandchildren, and many, many, many greats.
January 4, 2023 will be visitation from 5:30-9:00 pm. Rosary will be at 7 pm at Funeraria Del Angel, Oxnard.
January 5, 2023 will be his Celebration of Life at Sacred Heart Church, Ventura, at 10:00 am. Graveside service at Ivy Lawn Cemetery, Ventura at 1:00 pm.
