Obituary of John Charles Fialon

John Charles Fialon (68) of Mokelumne Hill California passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on November 25, 2023.

 

John was born to Charles and Jo Anne Fialon on January 3, 1955, in Pittsburgh PA. He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, and Michigan where he graduated from Northville High School. He was a successful wrestler all throughout high school and he was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins fan. When John was 18, he joined the Air Force where he met his best friend Gary Griffis and fell in love with Gary’s sister Cathy.

 

In 1977 John and Cathy married and settled in Chico CA. Where they raised their three children, Eric, Janell, and Katie. John had a successful career with the United States Postal Service. He retired after 30 years. During those years he worked his way upholding positions as letter carrier, truck driver, supervisor and ending as a Postmaster.

 

Throughout the years John was very active in the sports community and received many accolades, awards, and recognitions for his leadership in organizing youth wrestling leagues and coaching several other sports. He coached not only kids in the community, but his own kids and grandkids. He coached wrestling, football, baseball, softball, and hockey. For many years he also enjoyed playing in the local softball leagues, but his true passion was for fishing.

He was an avid fisherman. From lakes to rivers to oceans, he fished it all. He could catch fish anywhere.

 

In his retirement years he and Cathy relocated to Mokelumne Hill, CA where he had a new playground full of lakes for fishing. He started making specific lures for fish native to the lakes in his area. These lures were so effective in catching fish they even became “in demand” by other fisherman in the area. His enthusiasm and commitment to fishing was shared with all his kids, grandkids, several friends, and fisherman alike.

 

John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Family was most important to him and he showed it. Throughout our lives with John, we enjoyed music, concerts, laughter, fun, family gatherings, vacations, fishing trips, sporting events, and so much more.

 

John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cathy, three children, Eric (Ariane), Janell (Greg), and Katie (Michael); seven grandkids, Alicia, Luis, Jovani, Nathan, Patsy, Christopher, Sierra; and one great grandson, Grayson. He is also survived by his brother, Dan Fialon and his wife Sue.

 

John’s wishes will be carried out this summer. Family and friends will gather on houseboats to memorialize him and spread his ashes on lake New Malones in Calaveras County, California.

 

Go Steelers! Go penguins, and Fish on!

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