Obituary of John Anthony Provost

If you are reading this autobituary it means that I died. In planning for the last story of my life I knew that I would need to live an active, interesting and meaningful life so you wouldn’t be bored. I hope you aren’t disappointed. I’ll start it with, “Wow what a ride!” I was born in New Bedford Massachusetts to Blanch and Henry Provost. After high school I spent 4 years in the Navy then headed West and in 1959 landed in Gilroy CA where I married Allyce (Penny) Christianson and where we raised our sons Noel and Brian. I started my working life as an engineer at United Technology Center in Sunnyvale and Coyote, CA then in 1973 took ownership of a 7-11 Store in Gilroy. Then in 1991, Penny and I moved to Arizona for the rest of our lives. It is a bummer that I died from a heart attack when there were so many thrill seeking adrenalin pumping adventures where I thought I was going to die but didn’t. Such as the hundreds of thousands of miles that I logged as I crissed and crossed the continental United States on my motorcycle(s), crashing several times…Bungee Jumping the Macau Tower in New Zealand…Diving at the Great Barrier Reef, and with the Great White Sharks and the Saltwater Crocodiles in the cage of Death in Australia…And, running with the Bulls in Spain. I also embarked on adventures in my own backyard such as tandem skydiving, whitewater rafting the Colorado River and traveling through and exploring the Desert landscape that occupies Arizona. Penny passed away in December of 2007. A few years later I recruited a new partner in crime, Norma Smith who rode shotgun through our journeys, and the rest of my life. She bandaged and helped me to take care of me until the next pursuit of excitement. Together we enjoyed backstage concert passes to Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi concerts and many other quality pleasures. I am preceded in death by my wife Penny and my son Brian. I am survived by my son Noel and his wife Katherine; my grandson’s Mitchell, Nicholas and Tyler; and my great granddaughters Mia and Natalie. Some more interesting and fun facts about me include: My Passport doesn’t require a photograph. When I go to Spain I chase the bulls. Sharks have a week dedicated to me. I am the most interesting man in the world. Stay thirsty my friend! And so…now I am on to my next great journey. CIAO.