John Pao

John was a lifelong resident of Walla Walla, WA.  He was born to Pietro and Angela Rosa Pao on November 16, 1924 and peacefully passed away December 18, 2018 at the age of ninety-four.

He had attended Saint Patrick School and at the age of seventeen he joined his father in farming and remained active in farming for the next sixty-five years, growing Walla Walla sweet onions and many other crops.  He was among the last generation of farmers that had used horses to till the soil.  In his early nineties, he could still be found on his tractor tilling the fields and tending his garden.

In 1953 he married Norma Canziani.  They had two sons, John Jr. and Steven.  In the winter months he had enjoyed working at Hamada Brothers Greenhouse.  He had also worked for Grogan’s Garage, Davis & Kaiser, D&K Frozen Foods and Stokely USA.  In his later years he enjoyed reading western novels.

He was a member of the Walla Walla Gardeners' Association, Walla Walla Farmer’s Co-op, a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifelong member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

He is survived by Norma, his wife of sixty-five years and his sons John Jr. and Steven.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Amelia.

At John's request there will be no services held.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society through Herring-Groseclose Funeral Home 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.