Lakeside resident Juan Gregorio Noltenius Gordillo died May 1 in a Guadalajara hospital after a short illness. He was 67 years old.
Born August 10, 1946 in San Francisco, California, Noltenius always considered his home town to be Tapachula, Chiapas. He attended the Autonomous University of Guadalajara where he earned a degree in Tourism. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict, spending 18 months in that country.
Noltenius worked for Mexicana Airlinefor many years.
While living in Guadalajara, Noltenius and his wife Sara often brought their children to the Lake Chapala area for weekends. The family moved to Ajijic in 1998 and Noltenius purchased the Trattoria Giovanni restaurant and changed the name to Trattoria Di Axixic. The restaurant has been a popular and successful eatery ever since.
Noltenius was a member of Masonic Lodge #35 and served as the president of board of directors of the Cruz Roja Chapala Delegation for two years, ending his tenure about three years ago. He always encouraged the Shrine Club to use his restaurant for their fund-raising events.
Noltenius is survived by his wife, Sara Elena Sanchez de Noltenius; son Fritz Noltenius Sanchez and daughter Caira Noltenius Sanchez. Two brothers, Federico and Joachin Roberto, also survive him.