Herman John “Butch” Gnocchi, 67, of Pleasanton, Calif., and formerly of Austin, Minn., died Aug. 30, 2012, with family by his side.

John was born July 16, 1945, in Richmond, Calif. to Herman and Ella (Cerny) Gnocchi. John was a young boy when the family moved back to Austin. John attended Sumner Elementary School and graduated from Austin High School in 1963.

At a young age, John started his career in newspapers. He began by delivering the paper. Then, in high school, he worked in the circulation department of the Austin Daily Herald. After high school, John moved to San Francisco. He went to work for the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner. He worked as a pressman until his retirement.

John married Darlene Brown. This marriage ended in divorce but from the marriage a wonderful daughter, Christine, was born. Later, John was blessed with a grandson, Jacob, who John loved dearly. John loved being with his family, especially his grandson, and going to his cabin on the lake. He was fixing it up to move there.

John is survived by his daughter, Christine (Jacob) Gnocchi of Denver, N.C.; sisters, Patricia Keeney of Santa Clara, Calif., Lillian Waller of Austin, Bonnie Sims of Klamath Falls, Ore.; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Ella Gnocchi, sister Wilhelmina Christine Gnocchi and brother-in-law David A. WAller.

We will truly miss his smile, his laugher and his loving way.