John Ernest Heinrichs was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who loved nothing more than family get togethers, country music karaoke, playing golf or fixing something. Born on a farm in Enid, Oklahoma, one of eleven children, at age 15 he moved to San Jose with his family.  In 1944, at age 17, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific aboard the USS Boxer. After he was honorably discharged he lived in San Francisco and worked in a shipyard for a brief period before moving back to San Jose. In 1947, he was introduced to a Notre Dame High School senior named Norma Genovesi. John made a habit of showing up at the Genovesi household late in the afternoon hoping to get invited to a homemade Italian dinner. In 1950, John and Norma were married which lasted 73 years. John and his family lived in Santa Clara for 38 years.

John made a career in retail men's clothing working over 30 years for Bert Schroeder's Men's Clothing, first in downtown San Jose and then Town and Country Village (currently Santana Row), and eventually Valco Shopping Center. In 1992, John and Norma retired to Gilroy immersing themselves into the community through St. Mary's Parish, volunteering with St. Joseph's Center and the Loaves and Fishes food program. They also made many friends through line dancing.

"Papa" leaves behind his wife Norma, five children; Greg (Linda) of Portland, OR; Kirk (Kimberly) of Campbell; Lynette Findley (Sean) of Gilroy; Lisa Taulman (Chris) of Gastonia, N.C.; and Gina Wisinski (Mitchell) of Discovery Bay;  He also leaves behind 11grandchildren, and 11great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy, CA on December 8 at 1:30 PM. Directly following the Memorial Service there will be a reception at Gilroy Elks Lodge, 2765 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph's Family Center, 7950 Church Street, Suite A, Gilroy, CA 95020.