Son, brother, friend

John Bernard Tracey, a longtime Claremont resident, died on July 21, 2013 in Hayward, California. He was 60.

Mr. Tracey was born on October 10, 1952 in Buffalo, New York to Gerald C. and Dorothy D. Tracey. He moved with his family to Claremont in March of 1958. He attended John Tracy Clinic in Los Angeles, Assistance League Clinic for Deaf Children and Westmont Elementary School in Pomona.

Mr. Tracey went to California School for the Deaf in Riverside, where he became student body president. He then went on to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, DC and Golden West College in Huntington Beach. He had a 27-year career in the airline industry with AirCal/American Airlines working at Orange County, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham, Alliance-Fort Worth and back to San Francisco International Airport. 

Mr. Tracey retired at the end of 2007 and moved to Jamestown, New York to be close to brother Chris, working part-time as a volunteer for a local animal shelter. He returned to Hayward, California in 2010.

Mr. Tracey loved sports, and it brought him in and close to the hearing world. He especially enjoyed the Buffalo Bills, UCLA Bruins and high school football. Growing up, he participated in Claremont youth sports including Little League and Pony League baseball. He was an accomplished athlete at CSDR, participating in basketball, football, baseball and particularly wrestling, in which he was Arrowhead League Champion and CIF contender his senior year in 1971.

Mr. Tracey is preceded in death by his father, Gerald C. Tracey. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Tracey of Claremont; by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Tim Tracey of Claremont, Mike and Val Tracey of Upland, Chris and Laurie Tracey of Jamestown, New York and Tom and Sue Tracey of Yorba Linda; and by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann Tracey Lyman and Don Lyman of Hadden Heights, New Jersey, Mary Tracey of Cincinnati, Ohio and Patty Tracey Preston and Bob Preston of Del Mar. He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews, Ryan, Sean, Taryn, David, Megan, Taylor, Jordan, Brock, Logan and Morgan Tracey and Zoey Preston.

A private service for Mr. Tracey was held on August 9 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Eulogies were provided by his friend and CSDR/Gallaudet University classmate Steve Longo and by his brothers Mike and Chris.

Contributions may be made in John B. Tracey’s name to the Gerald “Bummy” Burstein Deaf Student Leadership Fund at The Community Foundation Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.