The family of Juan Alberto Navarrete share his peaceful passing on November 30th, 2022, at the age of 82. He was comfortably at home with his devoted wife, Carolyn, and his beloved stepdaughter Melissa Tortorich Adamcewicz and Son-in-law, Stan Adamcewicz, and adored pets by his side. Juan was born in Managua, Nicaragua, on May 2, 1940. When Juan was 3 years old, he moved to the United States and landed in New Orleans, LA with his mother, father, and older sister, "Maggie.” His younger brother Robert was born several years later, and they were all surrounded by a large, close-knit family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Juan was an extraordinary person guided by his love of God to be a loving and caring man. He was non-judgmental, honest, dignified, selflessly giving of his time to others, and understanding of people from all walks of life. Juan was a unique and highly intelligent gentleman. He was also an avid and comprehending observer of the human scene. He accumulated an amazingly vast network of people he intimately understood and with whom he had worked and socialized. In turn, those same people loved and trusted him. Juan was neither acrimonious nor confrontational, but he was always fearless, courageous, and optimistic in his interactions with others and in business. His creativity was always present, and he exhibited that in his life's work. He was a quiet adventurer and proudly served the United States of America in ways that were not generally known.
As a child, Juan attended St. Alphonsus grammar school and graduated from Redemptorist high school in New Orleans where he also served the altar during those years.
Juan eventually received his associate’s degree from the Chicago School of Medicine in Inhalation Therapy and Blood Gases. He worked at Charity Hospital, Montelepre Hospital, and eventually worked in The North Sea taking care of divers. He also worked at St. Bernard General Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Bertucci. He then assisted Dr. Stanley Stumpf in Bangladesh with surgeries.
Juan initially met his loving wife, Carolyn, in the earlier years when they were just children but met again later in life through a mutual friend. They eventually fell in love and spent 49 wonderful years together. After meeting Carolyn, he decided to change career paths so they could work and be together every day. He started working with her in the Beauty Industry and became her partner with Scientific Hair, Skin Inc, (SHSI). Years later, He and Carolyn, collaborated in the Ornamental Metal Design & Build business for approximately 29 years until he retired in 2019.
As a father and stepfather, he was generous, loving, kind and kept his grandchildren close to his heart. Most of all, Juan was a profoundly religious man. He devoted his free time to serving God and the parish of St. Theresa of Avila Church in New Orleans, LA, where he was an altar server and lecturer daily with Fr. Theodoro Agudo for over 20 years. During this time, Archbishop Hughes bestowed the Order of St. Louis Award to Juan and Carolyn for their dedication to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and St. Theresa of Avila Church. This award is given as a way of saying thank you to the lay volunteers who give so much of themselves to help a parish fulfill its mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Juan is preceded in death by his mother, Gaudelupe Antonia Ibarra Navarrete, and his father, Juan Navarrete, brother Robert Navarrete, and brother-in-law, Joel Lindquist.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Carolyn Hof Navarrete who lovingly cared for Juan in his final years. A special thanks to his stepdaughter, whom he was very close to, Melissa Tortorich Adamcewicz, affectionately known as Melis, and her husband, Stanley Adamcewicz “Stan” for their dedication in helping take care of Juan for so many years.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his children; Roxanne Navarrete, affectionately known as Roc (Thomas), Juan "Juancito" Navarrete (Danielle), Cheryl Rushton (Rusty), Joseph "Joey" Navarrete (Jenny), Stephen Navarrete (Hope), Lupita Sorenson (Rick), Rita Little (Wesley), his fostered son William John Crouch (Svetlana), and his sister, Dorotea “Maggie” Lindquist.
He also leaves behind to cherish his memory, his grandchildren Alexandra Elliot, Cynthia Navarrete, Debbie Navarrete, Alexis Adamcewicz White (Austin), Chase Adamcewicz, Samantha Navarrete, Summer Navarrete and many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his sister-in-law, Wilma Navarrete.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at St. Theresa of Avila Church, 1401 Erato Street, New Orleans, LA on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, starting at 8:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
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