John Baptiste Lajoie

John was born June 21, 1936, in Londonderry, N.H. to George L. Lajoie and Ernestine LaPointe. He is the youngest male of eight siblings. When his mother died in 1938, he was sent to Washington, D.C. to live with his uncle Louis (Pete) Lajoie and aunt Albina Lajoie Beaudoin until it was time for him to go to school. At that time, he knew and spoke only French. He attended St Patrick’s School in Nashua N.H. for 9 years and there went his French.

He graduated from Nashua High School class of ’54 and enrolled in the U.S. Navy that fall. It was at that time when he discovered he was listed as “un-named boy child” on his birth certificate so he named himself what everyone told him was his name. He served as a machinist mate aboard the USS Rushmore, served two years in Panama, and was honorably discharged in 1958. He played the tuba in the Navy band for a while as well as the High School band and the Vet’s. He also played the piano.

On January 16, 1960, he married his high school prom date Mary E. Hammar, daughter of Warren A. Hammar and Florence C. Cheney. At that time, he had taken up the trade of masonry and was restoring old fireplaces as well as building new ones. In 1961 the couple moved to California where he spent most of his years plastering swimming pools. He was the cement gun operator and drove the truck. His last 15 years before retirement were with Ababa QA as a delivery driver.

John is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Sheri, his son Scott, his daughter in law Caylynn, his younger sister Connie Smith of Nashua, N.H., his grandchildren Hallie and Ty Crane and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his three older brothers, Leo, Earl and Robert, and his three older sisters, Doris Hubner, Lorraine Riding, and Yvonne Mitchell.

John loved life. He loved people. He loved music. He was a happy man. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking and enjoying family camping and gatherings. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Services will be held at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. On November 22, at 11:00 am. Miramar Memorial Services oversees the arrangements. Their address is: 8380 Miramar Mall Ste #105, San Diego, CA, 92121. (858)566-9100. Their email is www.MiramarMemorialServices.com.