March 5, 2020
March 5, 2020
John was a person who left the world better than he found it through his kindness and easy nature, his caring concern for others and his devotion to his family. He is a man of integrity who will be missed.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one
JOHN JOSEPH FORCHELLI
We will remember him forever for he is
UNFORGETABLE
Please feel free to leave a tribute, in the tribute section, honoring John's personal qualities and/or a story, in the story section, of something you will never forget about him. Please do not leave condolences in the tributes section, nor in the life section for that is a chronological timeline still in process. Creative writing and poems are also very welcome in the stories section. Photos have a description when you clik on them. Enjoy the background music as you browse the site.
Rest in beautiful peace, my love. You are free. Soar high. I will always love you.
JOHN JOSEPH FORCHELLI
We will remember him forever for he is
UNFORGETABLE
Please feel free to leave a tribute, in the tribute section, honoring John's personal qualities and/or a story, in the story section, of something you will never forget about him. Please do not leave condolences in the tributes section, nor in the life section for that is a chronological timeline still in process. Creative writing and poems are also very welcome in the stories section. Photos have a description when you clik on them. Enjoy the background music as you browse the site.
Rest in beautiful peace, my love. You are free. Soar high. I will always love you.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
January 22, 2020
January 22, 2020
John will be forever missed. I loved his kind gentle spirit. He was a friend to everyone. He helped me build my garden and I know he will help me watch over it. John brought light to our PDO community with his smile and his laugh. He brought support and love to this community with his willingness to help everyone and jump right in and work on many PDO projects, like our library.
He was a warrior with his illness and would not allow it to be an excuse not to help others. John you have set an example of how to live for all of us.
He was a warrior with his illness and would not allow it to be an excuse not to help others. John you have set an example of how to live for all of us.
January 20, 2020
January 20, 2020
John will be missed by me, as a friend and fellow beach walker, John will be remembered as man who faced adversity with unwavering strength and gave it one hell of a fight. A Real Hero
January 19, 2020
January 19, 2020
I was truly blessed to be able to get to know John in the last year. He was so kind and endearing. John and Melanie came to Petaluma last March for our wedding and hosted our rehearsal dinner. I got the privilege of sitting next to John. He was so kind and ask Me lots of questions. We laughed and got to know each other. He eased my nerves of meeting my in-laws for the first time and instantly felt like family. I couldn’t wait to make more memories with my new family. I’m so grateful to John for being an amazing example of hard working, honest and loyal man for my husband Adam and a loving grandpa to Jasmine. I will always cherish the memories of our last conversation when we talked about your granddaughter Jordyn on the way and seeing your face light up with a big smile as you touched my stomach. John you are truly a special one of a kind man. You are in our thoughts and hearts every day. We love you always!
January 17, 2020
January 17, 2020
John,
Your positive outlook on life and wonderful laugh and smile was always a joy to be around . I always cherished how much you loved my mom and respected how you treated her like your queen as well as loved and supported our whole family . My son Jahfari always mentioned through the years how much you believed in him and the future that he has been creating for himself . I will never forget our family dinners and thanksgiving was always such a great time and good laugh with Mario and adam . The three of you would keep me in tears of laughter . You had a special green thumb and I never met anyone who could create such beautiful gardens with such a sense of peace and tranquillity. I still cannot believe your gone, but I know you are at peace and at rest and what a joy it was to spend time with you at Adams wedding recently . Please know you are always in our thoughts and we smile when we think of your laugh and your New Yorker accent. We know you are enjoying your coffee and cookie at 4:00 Pm and watering your beautiful garden and sitting with mom and loving her . We love you John , never forgotten ...
Your positive outlook on life and wonderful laugh and smile was always a joy to be around . I always cherished how much you loved my mom and respected how you treated her like your queen as well as loved and supported our whole family . My son Jahfari always mentioned through the years how much you believed in him and the future that he has been creating for himself . I will never forget our family dinners and thanksgiving was always such a great time and good laugh with Mario and adam . The three of you would keep me in tears of laughter . You had a special green thumb and I never met anyone who could create such beautiful gardens with such a sense of peace and tranquillity. I still cannot believe your gone, but I know you are at peace and at rest and what a joy it was to spend time with you at Adams wedding recently . Please know you are always in our thoughts and we smile when we think of your laugh and your New Yorker accent. We know you are enjoying your coffee and cookie at 4:00 Pm and watering your beautiful garden and sitting with mom and loving her . We love you John , never forgotten ...
January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020
Dearest John.
Words cannot express how much you will be missed and how much of an impact you had in my life. When you and mom got together are life's changed we had more opportunity and a more comfortable life from your hard work and dedication to your business forchelli construction! You played a huge role in my life as a young man you showed what a responsible father, husband, and man looks like. I am forever grateful I had a step father like you john. Your kindness, generosity, and always wanting to take us out to dinner is how I will always remember you. I always looked forward to you taking us out to dinner and talking and laughing with you at the new Yorker pizzeria. Me my wife Jenna and jasmine are still going there and I love being in that restaurant and it will always remind me of you. I am so grateful that we got to see you in your last weeks of life. we love you john. you will be forever missed and forever loved. I pray and hope that you are in a better place now with no pain and no discomfort. And will do ever thing that we can when it comes to taking care of mom. Just wanted you to know that. Love you john!.
Sincerely, kanwischer family.
Words cannot express how much you will be missed and how much of an impact you had in my life. When you and mom got together are life's changed we had more opportunity and a more comfortable life from your hard work and dedication to your business forchelli construction! You played a huge role in my life as a young man you showed what a responsible father, husband, and man looks like. I am forever grateful I had a step father like you john. Your kindness, generosity, and always wanting to take us out to dinner is how I will always remember you. I always looked forward to you taking us out to dinner and talking and laughing with you at the new Yorker pizzeria. Me my wife Jenna and jasmine are still going there and I love being in that restaurant and it will always remind me of you. I am so grateful that we got to see you in your last weeks of life. we love you john. you will be forever missed and forever loved. I pray and hope that you are in a better place now with no pain and no discomfort. And will do ever thing that we can when it comes to taking care of mom. Just wanted you to know that. Love you john!.
Sincerely, kanwischer family.
January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020
Bruce and I wish we could write a tribute about John. We heard over the years from Bruce and Melanie’s mother many wonderful compliments about John and his generosity and strength of character. We would have enjoyed spending time with him. So much of family anymore is spread geographically afar and don’t get to experience those treasured memories. We have enjoyed reading the beautiful tributes about John and send much love to Melanie and the rest of the family. Love and Blessings to all.
January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020
This is such a beautiful tribute, Melanie. I only got to meet John the one time at Bec's Summer BBQ and he and I spent a good deal of time chatting on the porch away from the crowd. I always thought I would have liked to get to know him more and I'm so sorry I didn't get the opportunity. Much love to you, -kate
January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020
John and his family let me stay at there home in Petaluma for almost a year while I was exchange student in local high school. I have only the best memories of him and Melanie with Adam.
John was very generous, nice with great sense of humour but especially always ready to help whenever I or anyone else needed something. He also made me fall in love with films and good New york style pizza which stayed with me for next almost 20 years.
I am very greatful and will never forget those times.
Love Igor
John was very generous, nice with great sense of humour but especially always ready to help whenever I or anyone else needed something. He also made me fall in love with films and good New york style pizza which stayed with me for next almost 20 years.
I am very greatful and will never forget those times.
Love Igor
January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020
I am honored to have known John. He was such an incredible force of personality and humor and gentleness.
From the pictures, you can see that he was always up for helping his neighbors.
His work on creating the library
at Playa de ORO will always be remembered and I am so grateful to have been a small part of that with him and our neighbors. I will treasure those memories always. I know that John is looking down with that smile of his and watching over you Melanie.
From the pictures, you can see that he was always up for helping his neighbors.
His work on creating the library
at Playa de ORO will always be remembered and I am so grateful to have been a small part of that with him and our neighbors. I will treasure those memories always. I know that John is looking down with that smile of his and watching over you Melanie.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
March 5, 2020
March 5, 2020
John was a person who left the world better than he found it through his kindness and easy nature, his caring concern for others and his devotion to his family. He is a man of integrity who will be missed.
January 22, 2020
January 22, 2020
John will be forever missed. I loved his kind gentle spirit. He was a friend to everyone. He helped me build my garden and I know he will help me watch over it. John brought light to our PDO community with his smile and his laugh. He brought support and love to this community with his willingness to help everyone and jump right in and work on many PDO projects, like our library.
He was a warrior with his illness and would not allow it to be an excuse not to help others. John you have set an example of how to live for all of us.
He was a warrior with his illness and would not allow it to be an excuse not to help others. John you have set an example of how to live for all of us.
January 20, 2020
January 20, 2020
John will be missed by me, as a friend and fellow beach walker, John will be remembered as man who faced adversity with unwavering strength and gave it one hell of a fight. A Real Hero
Gallery
Love this picture of John and Melanie. 3/23/19 at son Adam and Jenna’s wedding
Locator
Entrance to Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California
A memorial plaque for John made by Jasmine during her visit- Thanksgiving 2020
U.S. Army Military Police Viet Nam 1968 - 1970
His Life
2008. The Great American Recession
January 19, 2020
Businesses fell like dominoes. Within 7 weeks of the fall of the stock market the phones of John's business, Forchelli Construction, stopped ringing. Soon his job search began as we both knew this was going to be a long recession and recovery. One position opened up with the County of Marin Department of Public Works. He applied and his application was accepted. What followed was lots of physical ability and skills testing, several panel interviews, and hours of written testing. Out of 150 applicants John was chosen for that one and only position. Such a blessing at that difficult time.
Just Get 'Er Done
January 18, 2020
In 2011 my Batman won the 8th Annual Marin County 'JUST GET 'ER DONE' award. He was responsible for over 1 million square feet of 52 Marin County properties including the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright Marin Civic Center (shown in background). This written tribute is so fun! Clik the pic to read it.
Recent stories
Afternoon Coffee and cookies
November 16, 2023
by Chloe Sissa
Today ,John and his positive attitude toward life and happiness is truly missed !. John always took appreciation and found Joy for simple things , such as afternoon coffee and cookies !, I will always remember how happy and excited he was for that afternoon snack !, although it was a time to also sit , chat and laugh with family !. Mom and John would always appreciate great coffee shops with awesome coffee and cookies , they enjoyed so much time together over supurb snacks and great conversation! Such an amazing man and person John was , he will forever be missed and these great memories of him will always be in our hearts !.
To be missed
November 28, 2020
After a year of you being gone I was reflecting on the impact you had on your family and those around you. Your social circle, your friends and neighbors, your loving wife and those closest to you. Even your dog. Since I am a dog person I know dogs become attached to their humans. I found myself ending with this. What is the greatest sentiment we can leave to our family and loved ones when we leave this earth? I think it's...to be missed.
Know the seeds of kindness, consideration and compassion you demonstrated here did not go unnoticed.
Rest in peace
Know the seeds of kindness, consideration and compassion you demonstrated here did not go unnoticed.
Rest in peace
The big house on Dublin Ct in Petaluma
March 5, 2020
John and Mel owned the big house on Dublin Ct in Petaluma directly across from ours. I watched with delight as John worked on the backyard creating a beautiful retreat filled with interest and private areas. I would go up to the second floor and look down into their backyard and watch what John was creating hoping to steal a few ideas for our own backyard. What he created was a backyard paradise filled with delightful surprises, beautifully designed with places to sit and contemplate or read. It was a treat for the eye at every turn. Every detail was considered and created to delight the observer. John had a great talent for garden landscaping and his backyard was a showcase.
I remember when you both returned from a road trip up in Wyoming/Montana/Colorado(?) and John absolutely had to bring back a bison head/fur and it absolutely had to hang over the second floor railings so visitors could see it when we first walked in. If memory serves Mel you accepted it gracefully but it wasn’t exactly your style. But John loved it so it stayed.
John had a way of making everyone feel at ease and he had a great sense of humor. But what impressed me most was his graciousness and how he shared himself with others. He would give me progress reports on my son, Matthew, who had gotten his first job at the local Home Depot(?). He would say, "Oh, I saw Matt today. He was working his isle of tools and keeping everything organized. He seemed happy with himself." As a mother that meant the world to me. And then Matt would tell me he saw John and they had a nice conversation standing in the isle. John genuinely cared about people and their welfare. He was a good man.