John was born on October 23, 1944, and sadly passed away on September 8, 2026.

John is survived by his daughter, Kirsten Mead (m. Vasquez); son-in-law, Trevor Mead; older siblings, William Vasquez and Stephanie Dietenhofer; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Geoffrey and Rose Vasquez, and his brother-in-law, George Dietenhofer.

John was born in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served with Air Antisubmarine Squadron Twenty-Seven as an aircraft assembler. He was honorably discharged in 1965 at the end of his term of service.

After leaving the Navy, John went on to live a life filled with adventure, hard work, and plenty of stories to tell. He worked as a telecommunications technician, a career that allowed him to travel and see many different places. In 1979, he earned his pilot’s license, adding another passion to his already adventurous spirit. He later spent about ten years as an ironworker, building bridges and working at plants in various locations.

John eventually made his home in Humboldt County, where he lived for 40 years. From 1998 to 2012, he owned and operated his own handyman service. He took great pride in being able to help people, and if someone needed a hand, John was rarely one to say no. Helping others was simply part of who he was.

When John wasn’t working, he enjoyed skiing, traveling, watching sports, and, most of all, spending time with family. In 2012, he shared a special adventure with his daughter, Kirsten, her friend, and her friend’s father when the four of them went on a cruise to Alaska, one of the few states John had not yet visited. It was the kind of adventure that suited him perfectly—a new place to see, people he loved beside him, and another memory to add to a life already full of them.

John also loved opening his home to others. Family gatherings were important to him, and he had a way of making his home feel like a place where everyone belonged. His door was always open, and there was always room for one more at the table.

Although John had only one biological child, he had many “kids” who were not his by blood but whom he loved as his own. He had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome, accepted, and cared for. Once you became part of John’s life, you became part of his family. He didn’t need to share your blood to consider you one of his own.

John was a kind, generous, and deeply caring man. He was the person who would help when you needed it, welcome you when you showed up at his door, and make you feel like you had known him forever. His life was filled with hard work, adventure, laughter, family, and countless acts of kindness that may have seemed small to him but meant so much to the people around him.

Those who knew John will remember his generous heart, his adventurous spirit, his willingness to help, and the warmth he brought into their lives. His absence will leave an emptiness that cannot easily be filled, but the memories he gave to the people who loved him will remain.

John will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of his family and the many people who were fortunate enough to call him family.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of John Vasquez’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.