John Patrick Ronquillo

John Patrick Ronquillo passed away on September 4, 2018 at the age of 64. He is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, Karen Swensen Ronquillo. Devoted and loving father of Catherine Grace Ronquillo and Matthew Jude Ronquillo (Courtney). Brother of Mitzi Labadot (Jerry) and Raymond Ronquillo Jr. (Judy). He was the son-in-law of Richard and Catherine Swensen. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Kimberly Swensen Doherty (Paul), brother-in-law Scott Swensen (Sheila) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Marjorie Ronquillo.
John was born in New Orleans on April 13, 1954. He graduated from De La Salle High School (class of 1972) where he was captain of the football team, ran track and was an All-American wrestler. As a teenager, he boxed at St. Mary’s Italian Gym in the French Quarter and at only 17 years old, sparred with heavyweight champ Joe Frazier. He earned a scholarship to Tulane University where in 1976 he graduated with a B.A. in history. He was the co-captain of the Green Wave football team.
Months after graduation, John found his true calling as a member of the New Orleans Police Department, which he served for 30 years. His assignments included SWAT, the Police Academy and Motorcycle Unit. He served as an NOPD homicide detective in the Major Case Squad for 20 years. John also bravely served the NOPD and the people of New Orleans in the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina. After retiring from NOPD, he joined the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office in 2011 as an investigator. John was inducted into the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He was a member and former officer of the St. Dominic Knights of Columbus Council #3729 which recognized him as Knight of the Year in 2015. John had a lifelong devotion to St. Jude.
Special thanks to his caregivers at Ochsner Medical Center and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as well as employees of the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office and WWL-TV, the Marianite Sisters and John’s many friends and colleagues in NOPD.
Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & International Shrine of St. Jude, 411 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at noon. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until noon. Burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Community Center, 400 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70112 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenfh.com.

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