08/01/2025
While he was not part of the Class of 1988, we would like to announce that John DeMello, from the Class of 1987 passed away on July 7th.
Unfortumately we do not have any information on his obituary or memorial service but we did grab the following from Napa Valley Support Services:
John was a true character, loved by everyone who knew him. His easy smile, work ethic, and big heart made him unforgettable. He adored trains and machinery, collecting hats and treasures, and he proudly worked at Napa Waste and Recycling since 2017.
One of our team members, Teri Smith, who knew John for over 24 years, shared these beautiful memories:
“I always felt safe arriving at work in the dark because John was always there locking up his bike in front of my office door. He announced every holiday, clapped loudly, and shouted ‘Woo Hoo!’ whenever staff arrived — or when City of Napa trucks drove by!
They all knew John, and he knew them. He went to every ‘Big Game’ at Memorial Stadium, cheering on Vintage High, his alma mater. He’d greet you with, ‘Nice day today!’ or ‘I know that!’ He was really shy until you got to know him — but once you did, you were his friend for life.”
If you lived in Napa, you probably saw John riding his bike all over town, always waving and ready with a smile. He loved visiting the Wine Train station to watch the arrivals and departures — he even got to stand in the conductor’s seat once for a photo op!
In our 2022–2023 Annual Report, John and his crew were recognized for 25 years with our worksite partnership, and he proudly presented the award to his employer at our annual meeting.
We will always remember John’s warmth, reliability, and the joy he brought to our days. He will forever be part of the NVSS family.
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If you have any stories about John or any photos to share, then please do.
