Joe Lopez

Joe C. Lopez passed away peacefully on Wednesday October 28th 2015 in the hospital with his wife, sons and loving family by his side. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday last month.

Joe was born September 2nd, 1935 in the San Fernando Valley in Pacoima California to Eluterio and Pilar Lopez. Moved from there to Delano California and settled into Watsonville at the age of 19 years old.

He started out at Capuro Ranch and next on to Shews Market. Not long after that he went onto Luckys in Watsonville as a butcher. He retired at that company after 29 years.

In his younger years he enjoyed golf, hanging out with his friends. Loved to travel, gambling in Tahoe, Vegas and Reno and restoring his prized 62 Chevy pick up. He and Dee have enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Texas, Hawaii, New Orleans, Canada, Michigan and New Mexico. He loved watching football, game shows and debating politics with anyone who would listen.

Joe met and married the love of his life Dee Lopez on 12/26/69 and was married for 46 years becoming a loving father to Filbert at the age of 8.
He considered himself father to 5 sons. Filbert Lopez, Rick Pettigrew, Augie Gonzalez , Josh Kalich and Leonard Lopez. From those he has 3 granddaughters and 2 grandsons whom he adored.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Eluterio and Pilar Lopez and his sister Lupe (Jenny) Carselle

He will be greatly missed by his family. His Brothers Eluterio Jr. (Pat) Lopez, John (Paula) Lopez, Martin Lopez, Louis J (Sandy) Lopez.
His sisters Grace (Nathan) Valdivia, Herlinda Lopez, Delores G (Raul) Flores, and Mary Ann (Rubin Sr) Villanueva.

He is survived by many many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and even great greats as well as his god children. He loved his friends, co workers, neighbors and family. It was his biggest joy to have everyone over to BBQs and parties in the back yard and loving on his cat "Willie"

Viewing will be held Wednesday 11/4/15 from 3-9 PM with a rosary at 7PM at Ave Maria Memorial 609 Main Street, Watsonville. Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, 11/5/2015 at Our Lady of Christians (Valley Church) at 10 am with burial to follow at Valley Public Cemetery.

Celebration of his life to follow at Dee and Joes home 165 Crestwood Drive Watsonville. All are welcome