John ALDRICH

ALDRICH, BELZUNG

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/30/2010 at 17:00:46

27 April 1934 -- 17 March 1991

San Antonio Express-News, Texas
March 20, 1991

John Aldrich: Aldrich professional soccer player in Mexico

John Aldrich was a professional soccer player in California and Mexico who was known by the nickname "Faramalla." At age 18, he was selected to play in the Pan American Games of 1952 while living in Mexico City. He later worked in electronics and was an assistant chief engineer in El Paso for the ABC and CBS television affiliates. Aldrich moved to San Antonio in 1985 and started Belmont Auto Center. He sold the business in 1987 and retired. Aldrich, 56, died at home Sunday of a heart attack. Since being injured in an accident six years ago, his health had deteriorated.

Born in Belmond, Iowa, he played soccer in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and then in Mexico City. In 1956, he and Emma Roman were married in Torreon, Mexico, and lived there a few months before moving to Los Angeles. He graduated from a college in Los Angeles with a degree in electronics. While in Southern California, he worked for RCA Victor, Sony and Sears before moving to El Paso. In the early 1970s, he worked for the ABC affiliate TV station for six years, and then worked for the CBS affiliate for four years. The Aldriches moved to San Antonio in 1985.

"My father was very strong- willed and determined," said his son, Richard Aldrich of San Antonio. "He was also fun loving and had a good sense of humor. In El Paso, he coached us in baseball and soccer and had his own teen-age team.

"He believed if he could do something, we could do it, too. My father was strongly family-oriented. We always came first with him and he provided for us well," his son said.

Other survivors included his wife; a daughter, Linda Aldrich Belzung of Boerne; two other sons, Jack Aldrich of Kingsville and Joe Aldrich of Houston; and 10 grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Wednesday in St. John Neuman Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Silverman, celebrant. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery will be arranged by Sunset Funeral Home.