John Deptowicz

ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH:

John Dennis Robert Fajardo Deptowicz left this world to join his Lord God Jesus Christ at the age of 77, surrounded by the love and warmth of his family, on July 3, 2025, at his home in San Jacinto, California, after several years battling Alzheimer and chronic coronary dementia.

John was born on July 9, 1947 at Manila, Philippines to Caridad Fajardo and John Anthony Deptowicz, who met in the Philippines at the end of World War II when John Anthony’s US Navy ship was stationed in the Philippines. In 1951, his father left the Philippines and in 1961, his mother died.

In 1968, John’s life would take a major turn after meeting the woman who would become his wife of 57 years and mother of his 5 kids – Leonora, nickname Bebbie. When they met, John was 21 years old, studying accounting in Cebu, Visayas and working at his brother-in-law’s medical clinic. After just one month of meeting, John happily threw all his plans away to elope with Bebbie and move to the city, Manila. They had a civil wedding on June 17, 1968 and a church wedding on October 20, 1970. Together they raised a family of 5 strong-willed kids.

John became known as “John Banana” or “Boy Saging” when he worked, alongside his wife, as the largest distributor of bananas to local food retailers, hotels, sari sari stores, markets, and others. Eventually, John and Bebbie supported their family through wholesale and retail not just of bananas but many other sought-after goods.

In his late 20s, or around 1970s, John reconnected with his father over long distance telephone and letters. He then emigrated to the United States on April 9, 1981 to meet him. His wife and 5 kids would later join him in California, exactly one year later.

In the U.S., John worked tirelessly, around his children’s school schedule, so that he could continue to take/pick them up to/from school, and cook them 3 meals a day. He worked as a manager for KFC for 5 years, delivery person for the Los Angeles Times for 9 years, and in USC’s Transportation Department for 28 years until he retired due to a workplace injury.

John was a devout Catholic, having been a member of Couples for Christ, Balamban Association, and serving as a volunteer chaplain at Twin Towers jail in Los Angeles, California for over 5 years.

John loved his family and friends, and they, in turn, loved John. He easily made friends wherever he went, making everyone laugh along the way. His jokes, laughter, and kind heart will be missed. His final act before his last breath was giving his wife a kiss and squeezing the hands of his children and grandchildren.

SURVIVED BY || PRECEDED IN DEATH BY:

John is survived by his Loving Wife of 57 years, Leonora; 5 Adult Children: Jannie Lynn “Honey” Bituin, Mary Antoinette “Love” Gutierrez, Cheryl “Sweet” Deptowicz-Diaz, John Anthony Robert Deptowicz, and Janyfer Margaret “Dearly” Rattanachane; 5 Children In-Law: Armando Bituin, Jaime Gutierrez, Jorge Armando Diaz, Christa Deptowicz, and John Rattanachane; 13 Grandchildren: Laurence Bituin, Rachele Bituin, Mondesi Gutierrez, Amanda Bituin, Denzel Bituin, Mason Gutierrez, Maleah Alvarez, Katrina Deptowicz, Malorie Gutierrez, Natalia Rattanachane, Quentin Rattanachane, Chanel Marie Bituin, and Diego Diaz; Great Grandson: Callum Jaime Alvarez; 2 Sisters: Jane Bendebel and Mila Vergara; and Nephews, nieces, cousins - too many to name - residing in the Philippines, Canada, and the United States of America.

He is preceded in death by his Parents: Caridad Fajardo, John Anthony Deptowicz, and Charlotte Deptowicz; and Siblings: Aurora Gomez, Jesus Fajardo, Roy Fajardo, and Honorio Fajardo.

FAREWELL SERVICES INFORMATION:

Anyone who loved John and the people he loved is welcome to celebrate his life and say their farewell at services to be held at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles CA 90068.

Viewing and Visitation: 08/01/2025, 6pm to 9pm

Funeral Mass and Gravesite Farewell: 08/02/2025, 12:30pm

Condolences may be sent to: Deptowicz Family, 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 2700-Box#42, LA CA 90010