John Anthony Buffo, age 85, passed away on August 5, 2021, after 16 months in extended care, from congestive heart failure. John was born in Antioch, CA on November 29, 1935, to Neno and Sarah Buffo. John grew up in Pittsburg, CA and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1953. Thereafter he received his B.A. and teaching credential from San Jose State University, his school administration credential from Sacramento State University, and he fulfilled most of his doctoral requirements in the field of educational leadership at the University of Pacific, Stockton.

In 1962, after spending six years in the California National Guard and earning the rank of sergeant, John received an honorable discharge from the United States Army and from the National Guard. During his younger days John held several jobs but his passion and main employment was being an educator. He taught for five years with Oakland Public Schools, he taught for a year with the U.S. Army Dependents Schools in Nuremberg, Germany, he served ten years at Central Junior High in Pittsburg, which included being principal, and he taught at Pittsburg Senior High for many years. John retired from teaching in 2000 but continued to work for several years as a Benefits Counselor with the California Teachers' Retirement System, and as a volunteer Catechism teacher at St. Therese Parish in Isleton, CA.

John led a productive and active life and was a dedicated community leader. Besides being an educator, John was an accomplished historian. He spent more than two years traveling the world and he became an expert about the history of Pittsburg and the ancestry of its residents. John gave much of his time to his community. He was an active member of Sons of Italy, the Pittsburg Historical Society, the Pittsburg Boys Club, the Pittsburg Historical Museum and the Contra Costa County Historical Society. In each of these organizations, John was a member of the Board of Directors and often served as President. John was instrumental in the creation of the Pittsburg Historical Museum, the statue honoring the Pioneer Commercial Fishermen of Pittsburg, and the monument commemorating the relocation of Italians during World War II. In 2009, John was honored by Soroptimist International of Pittsburg as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

John is survived by his brother David, his niece Karen, his nephew Steve (Lisa), his grandniece Sara (Austin) his grandniece Natalie, numerous cousins, numerous friends and a community that loved him.

Funeral liturgy will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 12:00pm at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church in Antioch. Committal services following at Holy Cross Cemetery.