When John Moreno died last week, at age 83, he took great chunks
of Morgan Hill history with him. The former chief of police, former
city manager, former Man of the Year
– just to scratch the surface – knew everybody and everything
about his favorite town and its people.
When John Moreno died last week, at age 83, he took great chunks of Morgan Hill history with him. The former chief of police, former city manager, former Man of the Year – just to scratch the surface – knew everybody and everything about his favorite town and its people.
His death came as a surprise to many local people since, at his request, the burial was private and low-keyed. However, his many friends and acquaintances can gather and celebrate Moreno’s life at a memorial set for Friday, Nov. 21, 2-4:30 p.m. in the El Toro Room of the Community Center, Monterey Road at Dunne Avenue.
Though Moreno was born in San Francisco, grew up and went to school in Santa Clara, he spent his entire adult life since the 1930s in Morgan Hill, especially after he met and married his wife Elena, in 1942. Elena’s family (the Obergs) were early area settlers. Both families owned and operated orchards, as did almost everyone else in town.
Moreno gave his life to the community, according to attorney Bob Foster, a longtime friend.
“I’ve known John since 1965,” Foster said, “in his capacities as chief of police, city manager, when he was a Rotarian and in his numerous activities over the years. John put his full heart and soul into whatever he did and with excellence. He had a quality of openness to everyone’s ideas and the ability to bring people together. Most people protect their own turf. That John never did.”
After becoming a Morgan Hill policeman in 1945, Moreno underwent months of training, including going through the famed FBI academy and ended up chief of police in 1950. During his tenure he started the police reserves, hired the first police dog, brought the first computer and built the department to 15 officers by his retirement in 1975.
During the 1960s Moreno moved his department into the old Bank of America building at Monterey Road and Main Avenue, now named after the former chief, according to a bronze plaque on the building.
At his retirement, and many times since, Moreno was called Mr. Morgan Hill.
Moreno came out of retirement to act as city manager when Charles Cate resigned and again in 1992 to fill in as City Councilman when several sitting council members were recalled because of a disagreement with the voters over a utility tax.
John Sorci, one of those recalled council members, has known Moreno for 25 years.
“He never sat around for anybody,” said Sorci. “He bounced right back to help the city out.”
Moreno was named Man of the Year in 1960 by the Chamber of Commerce. Elena received the same honor – Woman of the Year – in 1995.
“He was a wonderful guy,” said Jean Pinard, a retired Morgan Hill principal and a member of a family that has been in town even longer than the Obergs. She is always pleased to tell people that Elena babysat for her and her sisters – known around town as “the Skeels girls.”
“I never thought John would die. Always looked so healthy, so very statesman-like,” Sorci said.
The couple have three children: Glen, Kim and Candy; five grandchildren: Katie and Jesse Moreno; Adam, Ashley and Tristan Cunha and one great-grandson, Aiden, who is 4 yearsold. Moreno is also survived by one sister, Mary Puppo. Another sister, Ann Bonaccorso, died earlier this summer.
