John Michael Barone

It was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to John Michael Barone on March 9, 2020. He was born in San Diego to Nelly and Mario Barone on January 23, 1972, baby brother to Mario, George, and Elizabeth.

John attended St. Pius X School and Hilltop High School in Chula Vista. He played football, track and basketball with the Hilltop Lancers but he loved football most of all. He showed incredible skill and love for the sport and his teammates. His feats on the field are still talked about today. After high school John attended Southwestern College then transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he earned a degree in Forestry and Resource Management. After graduating from college he returned to San Diego where he worked as a park ranger for over twenty years at various parks including Rohr Park, the San Dieguito River Park, Balboa Park, Mission Trails Regional Park, and Otay Valley Regional Park. In September 2016 he promoted to a senior planner position with the City of San Diego. John’s love for the outdoors was evident in the passion he brought to his work whether it was restoring trails, connecting with community members, meeting with local elected officials, or simply removing trash from his park.

John met his wife, Monica Alfaro, in 1999 at the Tijuana Estuary where he completed an internship. They married in 2002 and had two sons who were the center of his world. He and his wife passed on their love for nature and the outdoors to their sons. Family vacation destinations were always to state or national parks. John encouraged the boys to enjoy the smells, sights and sounds during hikes and was very patient when extra breaks were needed during a hike or a long drive.

John had many virtues and loved building and creating. At home, John created a beautiful backyard for his family to enjoy; it was a place of retreat and joy. He enjoyed coaching his sons’ basketball team and participating in school volunteer events. In short he loved to give.

John’s courage and strength during his fight amazed us all, his love for everyone around him shone through even on the darkest of days. He became close friends with his nurses and doctors, he loved them and they loved him in return. He never feared or lamented but made the most out of each day and every moment. We will forever remember his ability to find beauty in every day and seize each moment with love and joy. John’s resolve to always do and give his best is his legacy. His unfettered and transcendent love for his family and friends is the gift he left us. A gift that we will hold tightly until we see him again.