Mammoth mourns John Vereuck
Cancer claims local businessman at age 72.
John Vereuck was living proof that the American Dream still exists.
He began his career in Southern California as a plumber working for himself. He ended his career as the 7th largest taxpayer in Mono County and the owner of a myriad of properties in Mammoth Lakes.
As a self-made man, John knew that getting ahead required a lot of sacrifice and hard work and he was sympathetic and generous towards those, particularly younger people, who were treading a similar path. “He had a soft spot for the underdog,” observed Matthew Lehman, “The guy who was ambitious and trying to make it.”
Lehman initially did some appraisal work for Vereuck. This blossomed into a friendship and even partnership on a few business deals.
“He was one of the few people that you could do business on a handshake,” said Lehman, “And he was patient with people in difficult moments. He wasn’t a harsh landlord. He would work with people and he gave a lot away. He related to young people and never forgot where he came from and the struggles he went through. He could identify with any generation.”
Luis Villanueva, now MMSA’s Vice-President of Lodging, met Vereuck on Nov. 30, 2006. Why does he remember the date so clearly? It was his first day of work as G.M. of the Village at Mammoth. Vereuck was President of the Homeowner’s Assn. At the time, Vereuck was somewhat at odds with the Mountain and every representative of the Mountain was therefore suspect. But that didn’t last long. “He didn’t like me in the beginning, but he ended up loving me, “ said Luis. So much so that Luis was invited along on a family trip to see Fleetwood Mac in Las Vegas.
“He always said to me, ‘Luis, just remember, we are in this life for two seconds. You better enjoy it.’”
