John Grace

Born in Brooklyn, New York on February 12, 1926

Departed on December 24, 2017 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

John J. Grace "Johnno" of San Clemente, CA passed away Christmas Eve December 24, 2017. He was 91 years old. Johnno was married to the love of his life E.C. Grace for 60 years before her passing in 2016. They spent over 50 years of their lives living in San Clemente, CA. They loved traveling; England, Ireland, Italy, all over the US, but especially to Mexico, and around the deserts of the Southwest. They moved to Nashville in 2015 to be closer to their daughter, Katie James and her family.
John was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 12, 1926, and was a WWII Marine Veteran who was part of the Iwo Jima invasion in 1945. After the war he attended college at Georgetown University, and then entered the seminary with thoughts of becoming a priest. He left the seminary and moved to Arizona where he met E.C. on Christmas Eve of 1954, and they married in June of 1955. They relocated in 1964 to California. They met dozens of friends over the years and formed a tight group from Our Lady of Fatima parish called the "Camping Crew" who took all their children to Baja and Lake Powell annually. These friendships have lasted a lifetime for both the adults and the children.
Johnno loved to play pranks on his children and their friends, he loved to laugh, and to dance. He was an avid fisherman. He could speak with an Irish brogue better than anyone around him. His humor will live on in the memories of all those who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his wife E.C., his brother Frank, and several friends. He is survived by his son John J "Chip" Grace (Patty), his daughter Katie James (John), his grandchildren, Austin Grace, Kevin Grace, Sam James, Sarah James, and a multitude of nieces and nephew, and friends.
Visitation will be at 10am on January 15th with a Funeral Mass immediately following at 11am. Services will be held at St. Henry Catholic Church, Nashville, TN.