East County News ServiceSeptember 12, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – John Mendoza, a retired grocery worker, active community volunteer and husband of Lemon Grove Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, died of a heart attack on September 3.
Councilmember Mendoza made the announcement “with a heavy heart” on Facebook, recalling him as “an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, Lion, Christian.”
Born February 2, 1944 in Calexico, California to Augustine and Adela Mendoza, John moved with his family to National City in 1957, graduating from Sweetwater High School.
He began working in the grocery industry at age 18 and was a proud member of the United Food & Commercial Workers union. He worked for many years at Lucky Stores in Lemon Grove.He and his first wife, Peggy, married in 1964. They had twin boys, John and Jim, as well as a daughter, Gina.
He retired after 35 years in the grocery business and helped his brother in a window and door company, also enjoying camping, dirt biking, golfing and barbecues with neighbors.
In 1999, he met Jennifer (“Jenny”), whom he called the love of his life. They married in 2000. The couple moved into a 1904 farmhouse in Lemon Grove, which they worked for years to restore. John gained a stepson, Mike, and was a devoted grandfather to his grandchildren Nick, Lexie, Sammee, Rebecca, Mikayla, Katie, Kristie, Valentina and Austin, as well as four great grandsons: Ryker, Maverick, Tiberius and Rhett.
The couple traveled internationally in recent years, savoring their life together. They were preparing to celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary on Sept. 9 when John suffered a sudden and unexpected heart attack just a few days before.John Mendoza was also an active community volunteer with the Lemon Grove Lions Club, as a lector and choir member in his church, and as a driving force in establishing Lemon Grove’s Community Garden.
Services will be held on Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 8086 Broadway in Lemon Grove.
The family suggests donations in his honor to Lions Clubs International. You can also order memorial trees or send flowers to the family at the Featheringill Mortuary flower store.For more about his life visit www.Featheringillmortuary.com/obituaries/John-mendoza