Juan Pablo Estrada

1948-2023

Juan Pablo Estrada Sagastume, known by everyone as “Don Juanito” passed away early morning on Friday March 3, 2023. He was 74 years old. Juan was born on July 26th, 1948, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He is preceded in death by his father Augusto Estrada and his mother, Rosalbina Estrada, his eldest brother Cesar Agusto Estrada, and sister, Yolanda Estrada Smith.

Juan was a successful, professional tailor, and as a young man started his first company in Guatemala, “Trajes Ronald”. Although he was married with a young son, his ambitious nature took him to New York City, in search of greater opportunity for his family. In NY, he worked a variety of industrial type jobs. A highly skilled, natural born craftsman, he worked in toy manufacturing, and also as a carpenter and cabinet maker. Juan was always a hard worker with a resolution for perfection and had a great sense of pride in his work. He later moved on to California and lived in Santa Ana, and Los Angeles until he settled into the San Fernando Valley area where he ran his next company JP Fashions. He had clients from all over including providing cast member uniforms for Disneyland theme parks.

Juan was always giving and generous. If you needed help, he was there for you. If you needed work, he would hire you, if you were hungry he invited you for a meal. Whenever someone would ask for help, he would not hesitate and would do what was needed happily. There are many people that credit their lives and successes to his assistance and generosity. As hard working as he could be, everyone loved to spend time with him, because of his easy-going demeanor, and his great sense of humor.

In later years as Juan was in retirement, his creativity didn’t diminish- He still enjoyed spending time working at the sewing machine and would often do work for friends and family and create his own items. He loved to watch soccer games at home, as well as watching classic western and adventure films, and occasionally enjoying Mexican wrestling. He was a music fan and his favorites were the old Mexican Trios from the 50’s and 60’s. He also loved taking extended vacations back to Guatemala when he could. His favorite pastime, however, was spending his days with his dear friends and his family.

Juan is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Mirna Leticia Estrada, his sons Ron Estrada and Juan Estrada Jr., his daughter Mirna “Mirnita” Estrada, three grandchildren, Christiana Estrada, Eric Estrada, and Matthew Beyer, and great grandson River Estrada. He is also survived by his siblings, Blanca Estrada, Miriam Estrada, Rosa Carmina (Mima) Estrada Gonzalez, Ingrid Annabella Mancilla, and younger brother Herbert Estrada.

Juan was a caring and dignified man, who will be missed by the many that knew him.