Mr. John Joseph Brenner

In Loving Memory of John Joseph Brenner September 8, 1927 - February 13, 2016 John Joseph Brenner was born in Chicago to Josephine Magdalene and John Joseph Brenner. He was the elder of his two sisters Dolores Uhlig and Bonnie Martorano. In 1952 he married his sweetheart Elaine and began a family with his Son Alan, and Daughters Laura LoBue, Susan Tait-Nutoni and Joyce Hull. He is survived by Elaine, his children and grandchildren Stephen LoBue, Christina LoBue, Brianna Carbonara, Gabriella Carbonara and sister Dolores. At 17, John joined the Navy to serve our country during World War II, as a Hospital Corpsman, and was stationed in San Diego, Treasure Island and Oakland, California. After completing his service, the Navy provided for his schooling to become a pharmacist which led to a longstanding career and ownership of Gapinski Pharmacy, an old-time Apothecary Shop, in the heart of Chicago. John was a fixture of the community as it evolved and morphed over the years. John was an inspiration to others to begin a career of pharmacy.John was the “life of the party” and always brought happiness to those around him. He was a loving and caring father, raising his family in Niles, Illinois on the Northwest side of Chicago. When not working, he cherished time in the sun with his family, fishing and as Captain of his sailboat the Cutty Sark on Lake Michigan, where many adventures and tales began. He always saw the positive in a situation, was quick witted in solving problems and handy at fixing things. At 66 he retired, closed Gapinski Pharmacy, and moved to San Diego, where he had dreamed of moving ever since his days in the Navy. John customized his dream house on Agate Street when he first got to San Diego. John thoroughly enjoyed his retirement days in the sun of San Diego, never having to shovel snow again. John eventually brought Terry A Stanley from Chicago to San Diego to become married for 20 years and spend his retirement days in happiness. On February 13, 2016, age 88, John died peacefully in his sleep in his home at Autumn Villas. John had cheated death many times over the years and eventually succumbed. He survived being shot in the face at the pharmacy during a robbery. He survived a major stroke and regained functionality which the doctors thought was not possible. He survived a major heart attack to be up-and-about again. Even in his final days where he was comfortable, he could recall events such as building a bug house from scratch and catching locusts. Then with a hint of sadness in his voice, he recalled his parents taking it away from him. John then explained how he had been having nightmares from all the locusts he had caught. Although John is no longer with us, he will be dearly missed, and his memory will continue to bring warmth to our hearts. Please join us for a celebration of his vibrant life. Services will be on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 10:30 AM, at Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church, 3131 Governor Drive, San Diego, CA 92122. Following he will be buried at the Miramar National Cemetery with Military Honors for his service in WWII at 1:00 PM. Details and directions can be found at; www.pacificbeachchapel.com or www.legacy.com/dignity-memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/