Juan Jose Madeira

Juan Jose Madeira of St. George, Utah passed away on Wednesday July 10, 2024. Juan was born on January 9, 1937 to his parents Jose Madeira and Gertrude Correia in Buenos Aires, Argentina- both of whom were immigrants from Portugal. 

Juan grew up and attended school in Buenos Aires. However, in 1959 Juan left Argentina to come to the United States. He settled in Baltimore, Maryland where he met his eternal companion/wife, Paula Martinez. They married in Delaware on November 29, 1963.

Juan was eager to be come a U.S. Citizen and was able to fulfill his dream in 1961. He was also eager to serve his country and soon enlisted in the United States Army where he served for three years. During this time, Juan and Paula were able to purchase their first home in Reisterstown, Maryland and start their family. Soon he found himself in a career of engineering and machining.

In 1969, Juan and Paula and their two daughters moved to Asheville, North Carolina for a better career opportunity. The family did not stay in Asheville more than eighteen months and in 1971, Juan moved his small family to Woodland Hills, California.

In California, his ideas, creativity, and ingenuity caught the eye of Frank O’Rourke of O’Rourke Diamond Company. Soon Juan was working his magic in the industrial diamond tool and dye making industry. He was able to work his way up to vice president of the company.

Many years later, Juan found himself in a position that enabled him to start his own business. In 1983, National Super Abrasives Specialty Company (NASSCO) was established in Lancaster, California. Ultimately, Juan and Paula decided to move the company to St. George, Utah in 1996.

While Juan was innovative and creative in his career with diamond tools, his greatest passion was flying. He got a taste for flying as a teenager in Argentina. However, it was not until in 1977, that he was able to earn his private pilot’s license. He loved to fly and was frequently found “poking a hole” in the sky or chasing down that “hundred-dollar hamburger” on a Saturday morning.

Later, when he was unable to continue flying, he pursued more grounded activities. He began to learn how to the play the organ and could be found at social gatherings with musicians and music aficionados. He loved jazz and going to the symphony.

Something else that Juan has been known for is his infamous stock answers and sayings which he used adnauseam and are affectionately referred to as Juanisms. “Have a great day, Juan” would evoke “Anything I can get at this age,” or “As they say in Argentina, ya’ll have a good one, ya hear.” “How are you today?” would get you “Surviving,” or “Busier than a mosquito in a nudist camp”, or, and don’t think we didn’t consider putting this one on the gravestone, “I was better, but I got over it.” We also heard “you’ve got more excuses than a pregnant nun” growing up. And, we couldn’t say “See you later,” without getting “Thanks for the warning!” Here’s your warning, Daddy – we will see you later!

Juan is survived by his oldest daughter Mercedes Madeira of St. George, Utah, his youngest daughter, Susie Iverson and her husband Trevor Iverson; his grandchildren, Jason Rabbit, Alexandra Rabbitt and Nicholas Rabbitt; his great grandchildren, Ryu Hatch and Lydia Rabbitt. Juan is preceded in death by his wife Paula Madeira.

Graveside funeral services will be held at Tonaquint Cemetery on Saturday July 13, 2024 at 09:00.