John Picard

John Benjamin Picard, 77, passed away peacefully at home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 20, 2024. He was born on September 11, 1947 in Manila, Philippines, to Francis Lewis Picard, Jr. and Soledad Bongco Picard. He was the eldest of six children. From a young age, he enjoyed singing, playing the guitar, exploring new places, telling jokes, and learning about his family’s history.

After his father’s unexpected passing in 1962, John accepted the responsibility of helping his widowed mother and younger siblings. Not yet 15, he managed to find odd jobs to support his family financially. In 1965, on the day he turned 18, John enlisted in the United States Navy. He worked as a steward on the ships for several years before training to be a medical corpsman at the Naval Hospital Corps School in the Chicago, Illinois area. 

After his corpsman training, John moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he lived for over three decades. He worked in the nursery at Philadelphia Naval Hospital and then in the coronary care unit at Einstein Hospital. After over a decade of service, he voluntarily separated from the Navy in 1976. John treasured his time in the Navy, as it opened the door to a better future for both him and his family.

Later on, John worked with the US Postal Service, retiring in the early 2000s due to a heart condition. In the last decades of his life, he spent more time in California and Nevada, eventually settling in Las Vegas to be closer to his siblings.

John met Victoria in 1973, and they became lifelong companions. Together, they embarked on many adventures and continued to share their lives until John's passing.

John’s life was a blessing, his memory a gift, and his love a lasting legacy. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished in our hearts.