John David Starvaggi

John was born to Italian emigrants Gioacchino and Cosima Starvaggi on August 14, 1927, in Portland, Or. He was the youngest boy of a close-knit family of five boys, Anthony, Agost, Jack, Joe, and John. He graduated from Benson High School and continued his college education a few years later at the University of Oregon, after joining the Navy in 1945, serving until the end of World War II and then being drafted into the Army in 1951 during the Korean War. Upon returning from Korea as a mess sergeant, his brother Agost (Red) hired him at his restaurant, The Star-Quil Italian Restaurant as a cook, thus beginning his commercial food service career. In 1959 he bought his first restaurant, The Copperstone, Hillsboro, OR, went on to own three in Portland, The Peppermill (now known as the Limelight), The Candlelight, and The Old Town Cafe, two in Lake Oswego, Oswego Lodge and Giovanni's DCCXL. After spending a few years in the real estate field, he returned to what he was most successful at and bought Buddies Sports Bar & Grill in Aloha and also bought the property of Sunshine Pizza in Forest Grove, re-modeled it and renamed it Prime Time Restaurant & Sports Bar. John embodied all the characteristics associated with mortality, dedication and service. His steadfast goal was to provide for his family and his work ethic was well known. He was a member of St. Agatha church in Southeast Portland for over fifty years, joining the Knights of Columbus, Council #7388 as a charter member and serving as Grand Knight for two years. He was in charge of the annual spaghetti dinner for ten years and volunteered for many other duties. He was especially interested in helping young men in getting their careers started, three of whom he initiated as partners in his restaurant businesses and went on to being owners themselves. He was also a member of Most Rev. William H. Gross Fourth Degree #2251 and was a life member of Gateway Elks Lodge #2411. He and his wife Diane enjoyed traveling, especially to their desert home they owned for many years in Palm Desert, CA. After retirement he spent energy in volunteer work with The Toy & Joy Makers and St. Vincent de Paul also while managing his commercial properties. John was preceded in death by his parents and all four of his brothers. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diane, his daughter Dixie Thompson (Chuck) of Boring, and son, Jack Starvaggi of Portland; grandchildren Charles Thompson Jr. (Shani) and Micky Thompson (Sabrina); four great-grandchildren, Colton, Leithan, Reagan, and Tauran. Funeral mass at St. Agatha Catholic Church, S.E. 15th & Nehalem St., Portland, on July 11 at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Agatha Catholic School, 7650 S.E. 15th Ave., Portland, 97202.Charitable donations may be made to: St. Agatha Catholic School 7650 SE 15th Avenue, Portland OR 97202 Service Information