Mr. John Attard

John Attard passed into the loving arms of Jesus on June 19, 2016, at the age of 90. John was the devoted husband of the late Carol Attard for over 40 years. Loving father of Michael Attard and wife Stefania, Rosemarie Smith and husband David Smith, Joanne Attard Helvig, and Alex Attard; Loving Grandfather of Siena and Julia Attard, Alexis Rich, Carmen Pangelinan and husband Frank, Anna Smith, and Spencer and Samantha Helvig; and loving Great Grandfather of Zoe and Steven Odysseus Pangelinan; beloved brother of Sr. Pierina Attard and uncle to Michael Attard and wife Tessie and their family in Malta and uncle to Victor and Pam Smith, Marianne Smith, and Joe Smith and wife Wendy and children, and loving cousin to Vanni Pule and his wife Maryanne and Carmen, Maria Grech and Laura and their husbands and families, Lawrence Gonzi and wife and family and numerous loving cousins and extended family and friends in Malta. John was born in Malta, and grew up loving soccer, swimming and diving. John was a daredevil in his youth, diving off lighthouses and ship masts for show. During World War II, at the age of 17 years, he joined the Royal Air Force where he fought with the Allied forces until War’s end, earning the Malta George Cross Medal. After the war, John coached and played semi-professional and amateur soccer. Leaving Malta for Vancouver, Detroit, then San Francisco, in search of a better life, John unwittingly followed the same path as his true love, Carol Attard, whom he met at the party of a mutual friend in San Francisco. Carol was the love of John’s life and we find comfort knowing that they are together again at last. We also acknowledge St. Elizabeth’s Church in SF where John had the pleasure of working for over 20 years. A special thank you to the Maltese Club of South San Francisco and friends there whom John loved dearly and where John terrorized his mates in games of rummy, using his nickname, “il Germaniz,” which he would never let anyone forget. John was loved by all and had a zest for life such that everyone expected that he would live to 135 years of age as he would claim. John lived life with a positivity and strength of character that touched everyone who knew him. John’s love for life was such that he would often declare that he would not hesitate to do it all again. John will live forever in our hearts and we will miss and cherish our beloved patriarch and entrust him to God’s hands until we meet again. Family and friends may visit on Sunday after 4:00PM and are invited to attend the Vigil Service also on Sunday at 7:00PM and the Funeral Service on Monday July 11, 2016 at 10:00AM from the Chapels of Valente Marini Perata & Co. 4840 Mission Street, SF then to St. Elizabeth Church on the corner of Summerset and Wayland Streets, SF where a 10:30AM Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Committal to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

Mr. John Attard

November 7, 1925 - June 19, 2016