John Laucci 1945 – 2025

Arnold, CA…It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of John Laucci, long-time Calaveras County resident, chef and bookstore owner, on May 10, 2025 at the age of 79 from complications with congestive heart failure.

John was born on July 14, 1945 in Palo Alto, CA to John Laucci Sr. and Milbria Pirtle, growing up in Redwood City, CA. He attended Lincoln School, then Clifford and then San Carlos High and after high school, his father wanted him to go into his insurance business in San Francisco, which he tried briefly, but much to his father’s dismay, it just wasn’t in John’s cards. He loved the outdoors, history, reading and photography and decided to try his hand at college. He first went to Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR, but perhaps partied a little too hard and was asked to seek his educational endeavors elsewhere. He then went to Yampa Valley College in Steamboat Springs, CO to major in…skiing.

In the 1960’s his parents bought land in Mountain Ranch, CA and built a home there. John fell in love with the area, especially Mokelumne Hill, and put down some roots after his college experiences. He ended up working at the Hotel Ledger, meeting all the wonderful people that would become family – the Cannons, Wierzbowskis, Harpers, Falveys, Bourlands, MacDonaghs, Del Ortos, McCartneys and so many others. However, most importantly, he met the woman that would become his beloved wife, Carla. In 1976, they married in Vegas and built an amazing log cabin, the first in Calaveras County, close to the home John’s parents had built.

Their daughter, Rosa, was born in 1978 and the log cabin became a home full of love, laughter, Burrito Pigouts, hot tubbin’, Jimmy Buffett music and general shenanigans. During this time, John found his passion in photography, cooking and leather working. In 1989, the family moved to Mexico to run a restaurant, but when that didn’t pan out, they returned to Calaveras County, settling in Angels Camp where John and Carla ran Joaquin’s Mexican Restaurant, which became a delicious staple in the community. From there, he was the founding chef at Ground’s in Murphys and ended his successful cheffing career at The Blue Coyote in Arnold. Residing in Arnold since 1997, John continued his self-taught leather working techniques to create the most amazing hand-tooled, molded and laced leather bowls, trays, and sometimes furniture.

After leaving the commercial kitchen scene, he purchased Highland Books in Arnold and fulfilled a long-time dream of owning a bookshop, and once again, became a pillar of the community. At the shop, he could work on his leather and read while the bookshop dog, Deuce, snoozed in the corner. After the bookshop closed in 2013, John officially retired, focusing on his leather work and cooking for his family. After the devastating passing of his love, Carla, in 2017, John moved in with his daughter, Rosa, in Crescent City, CA where he lived out the rest of his days among the beaches and redwood forests of Northern California.

During his time there, an unexpected discovery was made in 2019 – through Ancestry.com DNA tests, he found out that he had another daughter, Tamara Ewing, who had been looking for her biological father for quite some time. It turns out that a romantic encounter while in Colorado led to Tamara, but he had no knowledge of her until then. Ten years older than Rosa, Tamara was welcomed with open arms into the family and we are so thankful that we’ve found each other.

Anyone that has met or known John, knows what a kind, funny, generous, talented, loving, goofy and all-around wonderful human being he was. The world will be a little dimmer without his light in it and will be missed by all. He is survived by his daughters, Rosa and Tamara, and cousins in Oklahoma and the Bay Area.

Due to the dual communities he became part of, there will be two celebrations for John:
7/12/25 – Turner Park, San Andreas, CA
7/26/25 – Smith River, CA

Please keep an eye on Rosa’s Facebook for details or email her directly with questions or if you want to contribute something to the celebrations at rlaucci@gmail.com

Hit ‘em where they ain’t, John. We’ll miss you always.

5 Responses to "John Laucci 1945 – 2025"

  1. Kristen Wallace   June 4, 2025 4:23 pm - at 4:23 pm

    Sending love to both Tamara & Rosa! I met Rosa in 1992 and have stayed close ever since. Love you

  2. Anonymous   June 4, 2025 4:33 pm - at 4:33 pm

    Lots of love to Rosa a well written piece about a wonderful man and Papa.
    Dana Taylor
    p.s. see you at Turner park.

  3. Anonymous   June 4, 2025 5:47 pm - at 5:47 pm

    I live in John’s log cabin, been there since 1990. The place 58 acres was fenced, he did run cows. It is blessed with 9 springs. I piped all, and have gravity water to the 2nd floor, and enough pressure for the shower. Coming from Pa, where I had a hillside farm, when I looked at the property the first time, I envisioned it as it is now, a self sufficiency farm.
    For 28 years, I grew dryland hay for the Angus, and sold grass finished beef, field corn , alfalfa, for feed for hogs, chickens, layers and roasters, turkeys ,a large garden, storing potatoes, onions, freezing peas, canning tomato juice , and much more, always a winter garden for cool season greens, brassicas, an orchard with peaches, apples .
    I heat with wood, and live very well, with my wife, and inexpensively with solar that supplies the 3 wells, and home power, always a credit at true -up.
    My daughter went to Toyon with Rosa.

    I am grateful for this property, and the cabin, garage John built. From all the champagne corks left around the old redwood hot tub, I knew there were many a joyous time on the back deck. Bob Wierzbowski now lives in John’s father’s home across the road from me.

    RIP John…

  4. Steve Shevick   June 6, 2025 10:37 am - at 10:37 am

    I met John in 1964 in Steamboat Springs at Yampa Valley College a school that specialized in second chances for draft eligible students .
    I remember John being a laid back kid from Northern California.We all attended from all over the world. We learned ,partied, and most importantly learned how to ski. We all seemed to be a brotherhood of guys who wanted another chance at college and Yampa Valley gave it to us.
    John always seemed to be a guy who would befriend all of us and we reciprocated the feeling. John was very talented and him having a second daughter doesn’t really surprise me. I’m sure Rosa will benefit greatly from this surprise. Now she won’t be alone after the passing of her mom and Dad. John will be missed.

  5. Anonymous   June 8, 2025 1:36 pm - at 1:36 pm

    I am sad to hear that John has passed.
    I had a connection to both Carla and John and Rosa.
    I first met them when we all worked at the Hotel Leger in Mike Hill.
    They offered their home in Angels Camp for me to get ready for my wedding across the street.
    Rosa and my daughter were good friends as they grew up so John and Carla were my friends.
    I know that John and Carla were so in love. Carla was beautiful in every way. John was generous and very talented.
    I’m happy you found a sister to share your memories and life.
    It is wonderful you were able to share so many years with your father when he moved in with you