Jack Peter Corrao Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen Corrao, his children Mary “JuJu” Paluso (Eugene), Cheryl Corrao, Regina De Santi, Jack Corrao II (Mary). His daughter Jacqueline Corrao-Cresci preceded him in death.

Jack was blessed with 7 grandchildren; Maria Serrano (Pablo), Russell Paluso, Eugene Paluso, Jr., Ashley Mullenaux (Dan), Frank De Santi, Monique Corrao, and Jack Corrao III.

He was then blessed with 7 great-grandchildren; Cristian Serrano, Isabella Serrano, Helena Serrano, Tomas Serrano, Lorenzo Serrano, Lola Serrano, and Jack Presley Mullenaux. His older brother Andrew Corrao survives him, as his younger brothers, Peter and Frank Corrao, preceded him in death.

Jack grew up in Little Italy, not to far from where he ended up living the majority of his life. After he graduated from San Diego High School, he went into the Army and served 2 years in WWII. When he left the military, he met his future bride, Helen, who lived across the street from where he grew up. They married on January 25, 1948 at Our Lady of the Rosary. Jack became a fisherman as they started a family but decided he wanted to be home to raise his children.

He had numerous jobs at Convair over his 30-year career, culminating with him being the Master Scheduler overseeing larger projects. Jack also had a calling and become one of the first Deacons in the Catholic Church. He was fondly known as “Deacon Jack” in the Mission Hills community.

Over the years and after retirement, dad was not one to sit idle. He enjoyed traveling the world, fishing for leisure, cooking and was in various clubs.

Jack was a founding member of the original Fish Mongers and I.C.F. in San Diego. He was very proud of his Sicilian heritage and wanted to share it. He was the author of 2 Italian cookbooks.

2 places you could always find dad, in the backyard gardening and tending to his many trees, or in the kitchen cooking and concocting new recipes. The evidence was the many pots and pans left behind, but the meal was nonetheless outstanding.

He was a great husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and father-in-law and Deacon. Jack will be greatly missed but he leaves behind a great legacy of love.

On behalf of Jack, we’d like to thank Harbor View Chateau for his care in his final journey. In lieu of flowers, Jack requested donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.