Obituary

John Nicholas “JC” Correa

John was tragically taken from us on 07/03/24.

John was born in Long Beach to Al and Tina Correa. He and his sisters, Elaine and Julie, grew up in their family home and all attended Emerson Elementary, Stanford Junior High, and Millikan High School. John was a gifted athlete from the very start. His dad, Al, coached him for most of his years, creating a special bond between them. John’s schedule was structured: baseball practice, oil your glove, complete your homework. John was very smart and a great student. His grandpa (Papou) passed on the gift of being a walking encyclopedia. John had a strong arm, and his throw was consistently precise. His position in baseball changed over the years between shortstop and catcher. He had the ability to anticipate and move quickly to catch line drives, field ground balls, or, as a catcher, pick off a guy stealing second or third base, which was exciting to watch.

In sixth grade at Emerson, John held the title for the longest softball throw (205 feet), as it was stenciled on the Emerson playground for at least the last 20 years. While at Stanford Junior High, John played baseball, flag football, and basketball, but his real love was still baseball. John’s parents attended all the games as his biggest cheerleaders. While at Stanford, Millikan football recruiters approached his parents and John for a future quarterback position, but his dad declined as he wanted John to stay focused on baseball. At Millikan, John was fortunate enough to make the varsity team as a sophomore. The coach started him at third base, and he stayed in that position throughout his three years on the team. The Correa family was very supportive of the Millikan Baseball Team, and his dad even became president of the Booster Club. The most thrilling time was when the 1983 baseball team won the CIF Championship at Angel Stadium. The game went into overtime with John driving in his teammate for the winning run. This was a complete team effort and a great accomplishment under the direction of Head Coach Dan Peters and Coach Dave Jongerius. John received several scholarships, yet his scholarship to Cal Berkeley was a dream come true, allowing him to play baseball with the Bears. In 1988, John was honored “Most Inspirational Award” by his teammates and served as the Captain of the Team. His teammates have continued their friendships through the years with annual alumni reunions, being included in wedding parties, their children’s birthday parties, even officiating at their children’s weddings, and numerous game trips to support their alma mater.

After graduating from Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree, John returned to Southern California and traveled with his dear friends throughout Europe. Upon returning, John received his teaching credential, real estate license, and a spot to return to the Millikan Baseball Team to his favorite Head Coach Dan Peters, which he did for the next five years. During this time, John was coaching and mentoring young athletes when he received an opportunity to teach English at a private college in Tokyo, Japan. This was an incredible experience, being in Japan, teaching, meeting new friends, and traveling throughout Southeast Asia for the next two years. When John returned home, he decided to pursue the real estate industry and real estate mortgage loans, which he continued for the last 35 years. Through these years, he established many new lifelong friendships. John took pride in helping clients and friends purchase their first homes or providing the loans for them.

John loved his volunteer work through the years with LBUSD Food for Kids, Special Olympics Camp (which he took his nephews to every summer to help), and Team 100 with the annual Blue Martini Ball fundraisers to help children and their families in need throughout the Long Beach community.

John’s love for travel took him to places such as Europe, Central America, South America, and for many years to see family members in Greece, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Canada. John traveled throughout Italy, with Milan holding a special place for him with his dear friends and having proprietorship with Ristorante Don Lisander for the last 10 years. John continued to travel with so many of his dear friends throughout Europe and maintained friendships within the US, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Croatia, Colombia, and Panama.

John lived in Sunset Beach for many years, hosting many fun beach BBQ parties with beach volleyball games and horseshoe tournaments. For the last 10 years, John moved back to Long Beach, where he was surrounded by a great community of friends and colleagues. John was loved by many friends and was a great friend to many, serving as a mentor, listener, and a big shoulder to lean or cry on. John is known for his great sense of humor, quick wit, caring nature, genuine humble spirit, positive energy, and beautiful smile. John is also known for the “JC-Selfie” to which some of you got to be a part of.

We’ll Love & Miss You Forever John.
May you rest in eternal peace.