John Dominick Sellick October 19, 1965 - Feb 27, 2021 Resident of Walnut Creek John Dominick Sellick passed away peacefully February 27, 2021 after a valiant battle with kidney cancer. He was 55 years old. For those who were lucky enough to know him, John was consistently described as a guy who was larger than life. He was a big man, 6'3, but the larger than life description was mostly due to his personality. John was the guy that everyone wanted to talk to at a party. When he walked into a room, his presence was undeniable. Incredibly good looking, he had a hearty laugh and told a good story. He was a people person and had the gift of gab; witty, energetic and charismatic are just a few adjectives to describe the gravitational pull John exuded. If you ever met John, even once, you would never forget him. He had that kind of impact. John was born in New York and was raised in Petaluma, CA. He grew up playing baseball. He loved the game; lived it and breathed it. He was a little league all star and all league high school baseball star; he hit three clutch home runs to win his high school championship game at Petaluma High. He received an offer to play for the New York Mets after high school graduation. Instead he decided to play for UC Riverside, where he was offered a scholarship, and had a hugely successful college baseball career. After college he was drafted to play for the St. Louis Cardinal organization. He worked his way up from Single A to Triple A, and was invited to play for the Major league Spring Training one year. After his baseball career, John returned to the Bay Area and embarked on a successful sales career during the dot.com boom, where he worked at start ups and tech companies. He eventually landed as a financial advisor and up until his untimely death worked for Wells Fargo. John married his college sweet heart Melissa in 1998. After living in San Francisco until 2002, Melissa and John moved to Walnut Creek to raise their family. Melissa also had an untimely death in 2011 at the age of 40. They have two children, Claire 19, and Johnny Jr., 14. The children were very young when their Mom passed, so John was a single Dad most of their lives. John stayed in Walnut Creek and was extremely active in coaching his daughter Claire’s softball teams, and his son John Junior’s basketball and baseball teams. John was head coach for the youth travel baseball team, the Walnut Creek Bulldawgs, which his son plays for. With John at the helm, the Bulldawgs secured a spot to play in the 2019 Cooperstown Little League World Series. John continued to play baseball his entire life, on semi pro teams and adult leagues in the Bay Area. His baseball buddies refer to him as “Skipper”. Besides baseball, John was a big history buff, devouring history books and playing board games that embraced historical periods. He was a sensational cook and loved to throw a good BBQ, and was always Top Chef at large family gatherings. We are deeply thankful for the 55 years that John was here, but heartbroken that he is gone, and the life he so enjoyed could not have gone on for a just a little longer. Rest In Peace John “Skipper” Sellick, we are sure you have been welcomed to the Heavenly Cardinal Dugout. John is survived by his daughter Claire 19, and son John Jr., 14 of Walnut Creek, Parents Jeri Sellick of Walnut Creek, CA; John and Karen Sellick of Savannah, GA; Sisters Laura Waltz of Mill Valley, CA and Carrie Sellick of Walnut Creek, CA and many nieces and nephews, brother and sister-in-laws. John Dominick Sellick October 19, 1965 - Feb 27, 2021 Resident of Walnut Creek John Dominick Sellick passed away peacefully February 27, 2021 after a valiant battle with kidney cancer. He was 55 years old. For those who were lucky enough to know him, John was consistently described as a guy who was larger than life. He was a big man, 6'3, but the larger than life description was mostly due to his personality. John was the guy that everyone wanted to talk to at a party. When he walked into a room, his presence was undeniable. Incredibly good looking, he had a hearty laugh and told a good story. He was a people person and had the gift of gab; witty, energetic and charismatic are just a few adjectives to describe the gravitational pull John exuded. If you ever met John, even once, you would never forget him. He had that kind of impact. John was born in New York and was raised in Petaluma, CA. He grew up playing baseball. He loved the game; lived it and breathed it. He was a little league all star and all league high school baseball star; he hit three clutch home runs to win his high school championship game at Petaluma High. He received an offer to play for the New York Mets after high school graduation. Instead he decided to play for UC Riverside, where he was offered a scholarship, and had a hugely successful college baseball career. After college he was drafted to play for the St. Louis Cardinal organization. He worked his way up from Single A to Triple A, and was invited to play for the Major league Spring Training one year. After his baseball career, John returned to the Bay Area and embarked on a successful sales career during the dot.com boom, where he worked at start ups and tech companies. He eventually landed as a financial advisor and up until his untimely death worked for Wells Fargo. John married his college sweet heart Melissa in 1998. After living in San Francisco until 2002, Melissa and John moved to Walnut Creek to raise their family. Melissa also had an untimely death in 2011 at the age of 40. They have two children, Claire 19, and Johnny Jr., 14. The children were very young when their Mom passed, so John was a single Dad most of their lives. John stayed in Walnut Creek and was extremely active in coaching his daughter Claire’s softball teams, and his son John Junior’s basketball and baseball teams. John was head coach for the youth travel baseball team, the Walnut Creek Bulldawgs, which his son plays for. With John at the helm, the Bulldawgs secured a spot to play in the 2019 Cooperstown Little League World Series. John continued to play baseball his entire life, on semi pro teams and adult leagues in the Bay Area. His baseball buddies refer to him as “Skipper”. Besides baseball, John was a big history buff, devouring history books and playing board games that embraced historical periods. He was a sensational cook and loved to throw a good BBQ, and was always Top Chef at large family gatherings. We are deeply thankful for the 55 years that John was here, but heartbroken that he is gone, and the life he so enjoyed could not have gone on for a just a little longer. Rest In Peace John “Skipper” Sellick, we are sure you have been welcomed to the Heavenly Cardinal Dugout. John is survived by his daughter Claire 19, and son John Jr., 14 of Walnut Creek, Parents Jeri Sellick of Walnut Creek, CA; John and Karen Sellick of Savannah, GA; Sisters Laura Waltz of Mill Valley, CA and Carrie Sellick of Walnut Creek, CA and many nieces and nephews, brother and sister-in-laws. A A gofundme account has been established to help with Claire and Johnny Jr.’s higher education.
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