Obituary: Landicho, John

John Landicho

John Landicho, 93, of Beltsville, MD, passed away peacefully October 20, 2025, at Sterling Care Hillhaven. John was born to Fortosa (Encabo) and Martin Landicho on August 19, 1932, in Palo Alto, CA. John grew up in Los Altos Hills, CA and graduated from Mountain View High School. He supported himself working various jobs as a student and went on to college at San Jose State University and where he excelled as a student-athlete, joined a fraternity, and continued working to pay for his college tuition. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1954. His goal was to go to graduate school but unfortunately was drafted in the Korean War and served at the Presidio in San Francisco and overseas at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe based in Rocquencourt, Yvelines, France where he worked in US Army Intelligence. He relocated to Washington, DC after his active-duty service in the US Army and started his career at US General Accounting Office in 1957 and continued to his retirement in 1994. He was recognized and awarded many times for his distinguished service and outstanding career at GAO. He was responsible for GAO audits of the activities of US Postal Service, Department of Commerce, SBA, the Appalachian Regional Commission and national defense procurement, logistics, and readiness He testified before various committees and sub-committees of the House and Senate regarding issues of government spending.  During his tenure there, he earned his MBA at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business Administration, received advanced training at the Federal Executive Institute (Charlottesville, VA) and the Brookings Institution. 

John was very active as well in his home life as a member of the Calverton Citizens Association, as treasurer on the board of directors at Calverton Swim Club and various roles on Calverton’s Swim Team. He also had his 5 children on the swimming team for years who worked as lifeguards and swim instructors. For recognition of his many years of service to the Calverton Swim Team, an award was named in his honor, “The John Landicho Award” to the swimmer who showed the most spirit!

He was also very active at both St. Joseph’s Parish and School in Beltsville. John and his wife, Cora, served in many roles and ministries for the Church and School since 1965 and for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC as well. He was also active as a volunteer at Good Counsel High School where his three sons attended and at Holy Names High School where his two daughters attended. John was also a past member of the Knights of Columbus at Prince Georges Council 2809 in College Park serving as Grand Knight and member of the Color Corps. 

John is survived by his wife of 66 years, Cora, his children Thomas (Lisa), James, (Kathlyn), Anne Marie, Edward (Joan), Theresa (Robert), his 9 grandchildren, Marc, Alex, Sean, Carmen, Greg, John, Alicia, Dan, and Mike. John was also uncle to Eleanor Linda Granillo (Henry), JoAnn, Samantha, Nicole, and Ted and great uncle to Vincent, Samuel, Alethea, Peter, Daniel, Kasha, Mario, He also is survived by his brothers Richard (Ivonne), Phil, Nino, Joe Cabigas (Jen), and sister Linda Cabigas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Fortosa, his brothers Petronilo (Pete), David, and sister Anita.  

Throughout his professional career, he traveled to many overseas assignments in Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Vietnam and other countries too numerous to mention. When he was serving in the US Army in France, he toured many parts of Paris on his free time including visiting the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral. After retiring from federal service, John continued to travel with Cora to the Philippines, Jerusalem, Italy, Scandinavia, and Russia. But the time he loved most was his time at his house in Ocean Pines, MD. He took many vacations and extended weekends there and enjoyed time with his family and friends going to the beach or fishing and crabbing at the bay. There were many fond memories of eating seafood and various other dishes prepared by Cora on the back deck of that Ocean Pines house!

He had a great sense of humor, and all were welcome to his house in Calverton. There were always the sounds of laughter coming out of the kitchen. He could always be found do yard work at all times of the year or working on home projects. He was always on top of his cars with maintenance and cleaning so if you had to buy a used car from someone, you’d get a great deal from him. He will always be missed deeply by his family and all his friends in his professional and personal life for his upbeat attitude, sense of humor, reliability, his generosity, and most importantly his wisdom and advice. 

The funeral service was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beltsville on October 20. 2025 and internment with military honors was at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD.