John Chaput
Dec. 2, 1946-Aug. 31, 2013
Menlo Park, California

The Man About Menlo, John Chaput, passed away peacefully at his childhood home in Menlo Park on Saturday night, August 31.

All who came in contact with him will remember him as a kind soul whose selflessness and sense of humor provided a special moment during the course of their day.

John grew up in Menlo, attending St. Raymond School, was the leader on his Seybold Realty Little League team as a rare left-handed catcher, attended Serra High School where he excelled in swimming and later, in water polo at College of San Mateo.

His outstanding command of the guitar and his talent for painting and drawing shined during these years.

He attended San Jose State, taking time out during his college years to spend nearly a year as an Amigos Anonymous volunteer in Mexico. It was a time in his life that would remain with him always, retaining a deep affection for the Mexican people, their culture ? and, of course, their food! And that volunteer service was to follow him throughout his life as he gave of his time to a variety of organizations, like Rosener House, the Italian Catholic Federation, Serra Club/St. Patrick?s Seminary and most recently, St. Raymond Church.

But where he did his best work was among the people of Menlo Park and Palo Alto. If you have lived here for any number of years, chances are you came across John and would remember him for his smile and kind greeting. His warm spirit will be greatly missed in this community.

He is survived by his mother, Rita Chaput; sisters Renee Zotter (Joe) and Michele Korn (Steve); brothers Steve and Nick; nephews Sean (Christina) and Rick Chaput, Ryan (Anna), Ross (Sophie) and Reed Korn and Steve (Pam) Zotter; nieces Chantal and Danielle Zotter and great nephew/niece Daniel and Aayla.

His life will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 13 at St. Raymond?s Church, 1100 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park at 11 a.m.