With great sadness, the family of John Carenza announces his unexpected passing on March 17, 2023. Preceded in death by his parents, John is survived by his wife of 50 years, three children, four grandchildren, and three siblings.
John graduated from St. Mary’s High School and is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. He attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) where he played as a forward on the SIUE Cougars men’s soccer team from 1968 to 1971 and holds the career record for goals scored. He earned All-American honors in 1971, and was a two-time runner-up for the Hermann Trophy. John was a charter member of the Sigma Pi fraternity chapter at SIUE and a member of Who’s Who Among Colleges & Universities.
John was selected to the U.S. Olympic soccer team for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and was a proud member of O.O.R.F. Board of Directors (Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund) He was selected by St. Louis Stars of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in the first round of the College Draft in 1973. He was with the Stars for four seasons, playing in 52 games. John was named Khoury Professional Soccer Player of the Year by the Southwest Kiwanis youth organization in 1975. And in 2002, he was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame.
Our dear father, brother, and friend. He will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School would be greatly appreciated. (Online at www.theworkisours.com or mail to 4701 S. Grand Blvd. 63111). Mass in the Chapel on May 13 , 2023 at 11:00 AM-Fr. Rick Stoltz
*A short program featuring Mayor Francis Slay, and a gathering to reminisce with light refreshments immediately following.
4701 South Grand Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111 Please RSVP to Bianchic@stmaryshs.com *In lieu of cards and flowers, please send donations to: St. Mary’s Southside Catholic HS
John is yet another example of someone who carried forth and reinforced an iconic St. Louis soccer name. Condolences to the entire Carenza family who will continue to do the same in his honor and with reverence
Condolences to the entire Carenza family as St. Louis has lost another soccer brother. Many memories on and off the field, and we will always have those.
John is a St. Mary’s High School Alumnus, Class of 1968. On behalf of St. Mary’s faculty, staff, and students, both past and present, we extend our most heartfelt sympathy to John’s family and friends.
Also know that we share in your sorrow and grieve for your loss. Special mention and offerings of condolences to John’s classmates and to those students, who, at one time or another, were either upper classmates or under classmates of his, and who may have known him personally or “of him” as someone they passed in the hallways, or shared a table with at lunchtime or maybe even participated in some of the same extra-curricular activities as John did from the time he enrolled as a Freshman in September of 1964 until the time he graduated as a Senior in June of 1968.
Although John is gone from this life, his spirit has been and always will be here, on the Campus of St. Mary’s. And just as it was in his lifetime, ever since the day he enrolled and became a “Son of Mary”, daily prayers will continue to be said and daily masses will continue to be offered for him by the Brothers of Mary.
Danny Slay
Class of ‘67
Executive Member — Board of Directors
St. Mary’s High School Alumni Association
Diane I was so sad to hear of your loss. I hope you and your family are finding the strength you all will need. God bless to all of you.
John will be missed by all. I have some great soccer memories with him and I wish my resume could read like Johns.
He was a good man on and off the field.
Sad to hear of John’s passing, my sincere condolences to the Carenza family.