John Francis Dineen Jr.

John, also known affectionately as Jay, died on November 18, 2021 at his home in Benicia, California at the age of 77, after several years of dementia. Jay was born on February 27, 1944 to John (Jack) and Wauneta (Nita) Dineen in Omaha, Nebraska. The oldest of nine children, Jay spent most of his childhood in San Francisco, California with his parents, four brothers and four sisters. Jay loved to play sports, especially baseball and basketball. Jay attended St. Gabriel’s ‘58, St. Ignatius High School ‘62, one year at St. Joseph’s Seminary, and received a BA in History from University of San Francisco in ‘68, where he was also a member of the Army Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

Jay met his wife of 52 years, Janet (Jan) Hammer while they were students at USF. Together they had three children, Jennifer Dineen Ocon, Matthew Dineen, and Benjamin Dineen.

Jay served as an Army Lieutenant in Grafenwohr, Germany for three and half years. He then began a 40year career as a corporate insurance broker, working for several firms. He retired from Diablo Valley Insurance in 2013.

Jay was a very dedicated father and grandfather. He and Jan raised their children in Belmont, California and lived there for 36 years, where they were active parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and where they enjoyed entertaining friends and family at their home. Jay was known for his warmth, kindness, great sense of humor and quick wit. Making people laugh was one of the things he enjoyed most. Jay also shared his love of sports as a volunteer basketball coach at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Belmont for over 20 years, and later for St. Dominic School in Benicia.

Jay was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Nita Dineen and parents-in-law, Jim and Pat Hammer. He is survived by his wife, Jan; his children Jenny (Leo), Matt (Tanja), Ben (Elaine); his grandchildren Emma, Zach, and Elliot; his siblings, Mary (Jim), Larry (Barbara), Kevin (Margie), Brian (Ana), Sheila, Marcy (Randy), Rita (Woody), and Paul (Annemarie) and sisters-in law Sue (Jerry), and Linda (Peter); 21 nieces and nephews; 18 grandnieces and grandnephews; and one great grandnephew. Funeral Mass November 30, 2021 at 10:30 AM

St. Cecilia Church 2555 17th Avenue

San Francisco, CA Donations in his honor may be made to USF, or to your favorite cause.