John Dalton Obituary

John Dalton
March 27, 1947 - September 14, 2023
John Dalton passed on September 14, 2023 from complications of dementia.
He is pre-deceased by his son from his first marriage, James. He is remembered with love by his wife, Sheila, his daughter Katie from his first marriage, his sisters Peggy Kohls and Ginny Ficco (Arthur), his nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
John was born, the youngest of three children, in Los Angeles to Virginia and Jack Dalton. He attended Catholic grammar and high school, earning a National Merit Scholarship to attend college. He chose University of San Francisco, arriving in time for the Summer of Love (what great timing!)
After graduation in 1969 he began a successful career as an insurance underwriter. Positions of increasing responsibility at The Hartford and Cravens Dargan led to his partnership at MacCready & Gutmann Insurance Services. He earned the respected Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation. In the late 1990's John and his partner sold their business and he semi-retired, acting as expert witness and consultant for some years while, ever the scholar, he learned the language of his favorite place, Italy.
John's love for scholarship never waned; his motivation for mastering Italian was that he wanted to read Dante in its original language. He earned a Masters Degree in Italian from San Francisco State University in 2005.
A fan of many sports, he was a San Francisco Giants season ticket holder for over 40 years, and would make time for a game on every business trip in cities across the country. He also loved and supported USF Dons Basketball, attending many games with his college buddies. He and his wife enjoyed years of Friday night bocce at Marin Bocce Federation's lovely courts in San Rafael (go UFFA!)
He'll be remembered for his quick wit, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, his love of dogs (Oscar:The Best Dog in the World!), espresso and Dylan.
John met and kept lifelong friends at University of San Francisco, and they convened with regularity and joy. Many are gone now, and together they're now at the Bum Tout in the sky, relishing the Buddy Liquor Plan!
Sheila would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Windchime of Marin. They gave her and John consistent and thoughtful care for the last 2+ years of his life.
A Celebration of Life will be held on the afternoon of November 4, 2023 in Mill Valley. For details and to RSVP please phone or text Sheila Dalton 415-465-0113.