John Piches, known throughout Roseville as "Boss," was born in 1920 to Greek immigrants. John was raised in Roseville and graduated from Roseville High School in 1939. A lifelong athlete and sports fan, John played quarterback on the 1938 championship football team and led the 3-year Roseville High championship baseball team in runs and hits. In 1941 he married his high school sweetheart, Erma Claiborne. Together they had two children, David and Donna.
After studying engineering at the University of San Francisco and serving in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, John returned to Roseville where he became a successful general contractor, developer, realtor, and community leader. John developed Roseville's first major residential subdivision, Sierra Gardens. His vision and hard work helped create Sierra View Country Club, Placer Savings and Loan, the original Roseville Hospital, and Roseville Square, the city's first shopping center. Since the early 1970s, in addition to being a realtor, John's primary pursuit and passion was raising and training Thoroughbred and Arabian race horses for competition throughout California.
As chairman of Roseville's Parks and Recreation Commission, John was instrumental in creating the Roseville Little League. He designed and built the Clancy Field bleachers and Richards Little League Field at Roseville High School.
A dedicated Rotarian with 65 years of perfect attendance at weekly meetings, he was one of the founders of the Rotary Oakmont Girls' Basketball Tournament, serving as the announcer since its beginning in 1977.
John worked diligently to preserve and honor Roseville's heritage. In 1964 he organized Roseville's Centennial Celebration. In 1983 John and a small group of Roseville citizens founded the Roseville Historical Society. As the Society's first chairman, he secured funding for the restoration of Roseville's Carnegie Library for use as a history museum. Since 1995 he presided over the Roseville Chamber of Commerce plaque presentation program which rewards businesses that have improved their buildings in Roseville's historic center.
Although John was recognized with countless service awards by numerous community organizations, he is best known for his unwavering commitment to honoring those who served to protect our country's freedom--the United States veterans. For almost two decades, John organized and presided over at least three annual Veteran tribute events each year, while also promoting and raising funds for local monuments, including the city's World War II and Korean War monuments.
In 2005, John received a "Commemorative Coin" from the Placer County Board of Supervisors, recognizing his long-standing and dedicated community service.
John was preceded in death by Erma, his wife of 67 years; sister Tula; and brothers Sam and Chris. He is survived by son David Piches and his wife Lisa; daughter Donna Estridge and her husband Paul; sister Mary Dufour and brother-and-sister-in-law Lloyd and Janice Claiborne; nieces Patti Kostakis and Cynthia Suverkrop; nephews George Piches and Mark Williams; and many more nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for John will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2351 Pleasant Grove Boulevard in Roseville at 10 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John's latest project--the Roseville Historical Society for the Veterans Park Monument, 557 Lincoln Street, Roseville, CA 95678, 916-773-3003.
.Published in Gold Country Media Newspapers on April 12, 2013
After studying engineering at the University of San Francisco and serving in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, John returned to Roseville where he became a successful general contractor, developer, realtor, and community leader. John developed Roseville's first major residential subdivision, Sierra Gardens. His vision and hard work helped create Sierra View Country Club, Placer Savings and Loan, the original Roseville Hospital, and Roseville Square, the city's first shopping center. Since the early 1970s, in addition to being a realtor, John's primary pursuit and passion was raising and training Thoroughbred and Arabian race horses for competition throughout California.
As chairman of Roseville's Parks and Recreation Commission, John was instrumental in creating the Roseville Little League. He designed and built the Clancy Field bleachers and Richards Little League Field at Roseville High School.
A dedicated Rotarian with 65 years of perfect attendance at weekly meetings, he was one of the founders of the Rotary Oakmont Girls' Basketball Tournament, serving as the announcer since its beginning in 1977.
John worked diligently to preserve and honor Roseville's heritage. In 1964 he organized Roseville's Centennial Celebration. In 1983 John and a small group of Roseville citizens founded the Roseville Historical Society. As the Society's first chairman, he secured funding for the restoration of Roseville's Carnegie Library for use as a history museum. Since 1995 he presided over the Roseville Chamber of Commerce plaque presentation program which rewards businesses that have improved their buildings in Roseville's historic center.
Although John was recognized with countless service awards by numerous community organizations, he is best known for his unwavering commitment to honoring those who served to protect our country's freedom--the United States veterans. For almost two decades, John organized and presided over at least three annual Veteran tribute events each year, while also promoting and raising funds for local monuments, including the city's World War II and Korean War monuments.
In 2005, John received a "Commemorative Coin" from the Placer County Board of Supervisors, recognizing his long-standing and dedicated community service.
John was preceded in death by Erma, his wife of 67 years; sister Tula; and brothers Sam and Chris. He is survived by son David Piches and his wife Lisa; daughter Donna Estridge and her husband Paul; sister Mary Dufour and brother-and-sister-in-law Lloyd and Janice Claiborne; nieces Patti Kostakis and Cynthia Suverkrop; nephews George Piches and Mark Williams; and many more nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for John will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2351 Pleasant Grove Boulevard in Roseville at 10 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John's latest project--the Roseville Historical Society for the Veterans Park Monument, 557 Lincoln Street, Roseville, CA 95678, 916-773-3003.
.Published in Gold Country Media Newspapers on April 12, 2013
John Piches, known throughout Roseville as "Boss," was born in 1920 to Greek immigrants. John was raised in Roseville and graduated from Roseville High School in 1939. A lifelong athlete and sports fan, John played quarterback on the 1938 championship football team and led the 3-year Roseville High championship baseball team in runs and hits. In 1941 he married his high school sweetheart, Erma Claiborne. Together they had two children, David and Donna.
After studying engineering at the University of San Francisco and serving in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, John returned to Roseville where he became a successful general contractor, developer, realtor, and community leader. John developed Roseville's first major residential subdivision, Sierra Gardens. His vision and hard work helped create Sierra View Country Club, Placer Savings and Loan, the original Roseville Hospital, and Roseville Square, the city's first shopping center. Since the early 1970s, in addition to being a realtor, John's primary pursuit and passion was raising and training Thoroughbred and Arabian race horses for competition throughout California.
As chairman of Roseville's Parks and Recreation Commission, John was instrumental in creating the Roseville Little League. He designed and built the Clancy Field bleachers and Richards Little League Field at Roseville High School.
A dedicated Rotarian with 65 years of perfect attendance at weekly meetings, he was one of the founders of the Rotary Oakmont Girls' Basketball Tournament, serving as the announcer since its beginning in 1977.
John worked diligently to preserve and honor Roseville's heritage. In 1964 he organized Roseville's Centennial Celebration. In 1983 John and a small group of Roseville citizens founded the Roseville Historical Society. As the Society's first chairman, he secured funding for the restoration of Roseville's Carnegie Library for use as a history museum. Since 1995 he presided over the Roseville Chamber of Commerce plaque presentation program which rewards businesses that have improved their buildings in Roseville's historic center.
Although John was recognized with countless service awards by numerous community organizations, he is best known for his unwavering commitment to honoring those who served to protect our country's freedom--the United States veterans. For almost two decades, John organized and presided over at least three annual Veteran tribute events each year, while also promoting and raising funds for local monuments, including the city's World War II and Korean War monuments.
In 2005, John received a "Commemorative Coin" from the Placer County Board of Supervisors, recognizing his long-standing and dedicated community service.
John was preceded in death by Erma, his wife of 67 years; sister Tula; and brothers Sam and Chris. He is survived by son David Piches and his wife Lisa; daughter Donna Estridge and her husband Paul; sister Mary Dufour and brother-and-sister-in-law Lloyd and Janice Claiborne; nieces Patti Kostakis and Cynthia Suverkrop; nephews George Piches and Mark Williams; and many more nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for John will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2351 Pleasant Grove Boulevard in Roseville at 10 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John's latest project--the Roseville Historical Society for the Veterans Park Monument, 557 Lincoln Street, Roseville, CA 95678, 916-773-3003.
.Published in Gold Country Media Newspapers on April 12, 2013
After studying engineering at the University of San Francisco and serving in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, John returned to Roseville where he became a successful general contractor, developer, realtor, and community leader. John developed Roseville's first major residential subdivision, Sierra Gardens. His vision and hard work helped create Sierra View Country Club, Placer Savings and Loan, the original Roseville Hospital, and Roseville Square, the city's first shopping center. Since the early 1970s, in addition to being a realtor, John's primary pursuit and passion was raising and training Thoroughbred and Arabian race horses for competition throughout California.
As chairman of Roseville's Parks and Recreation Commission, John was instrumental in creating the Roseville Little League. He designed and built the Clancy Field bleachers and Richards Little League Field at Roseville High School.
A dedicated Rotarian with 65 years of perfect attendance at weekly meetings, he was one of the founders of the Rotary Oakmont Girls' Basketball Tournament, serving as the announcer since its beginning in 1977.
John worked diligently to preserve and honor Roseville's heritage. In 1964 he organized Roseville's Centennial Celebration. In 1983 John and a small group of Roseville citizens founded the Roseville Historical Society. As the Society's first chairman, he secured funding for the restoration of Roseville's Carnegie Library for use as a history museum. Since 1995 he presided over the Roseville Chamber of Commerce plaque presentation program which rewards businesses that have improved their buildings in Roseville's historic center.
Although John was recognized with countless service awards by numerous community organizations, he is best known for his unwavering commitment to honoring those who served to protect our country's freedom--the United States veterans. For almost two decades, John organized and presided over at least three annual Veteran tribute events each year, while also promoting and raising funds for local monuments, including the city's World War II and Korean War monuments.
In 2005, John received a "Commemorative Coin" from the Placer County Board of Supervisors, recognizing his long-standing and dedicated community service.
John was preceded in death by Erma, his wife of 67 years; sister Tula; and brothers Sam and Chris. He is survived by son David Piches and his wife Lisa; daughter Donna Estridge and her husband Paul; sister Mary Dufour and brother-and-sister-in-law Lloyd and Janice Claiborne; nieces Patti Kostakis and Cynthia Suverkrop; nephews George Piches and Mark Williams; and many more nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for John will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2351 Pleasant Grove Boulevard in Roseville at 10 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John's latest project--the Roseville Historical Society for the Veterans Park Monument, 557 Lincoln Street, Roseville, CA 95678, 916-773-3003.
.Published in Gold Country Media Newspapers on April 12, 2013
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