Joseph Marcelo Vazquez graced this world with his presence beginning on Jan. 16, 1938 in Mexico City. He left us just as quickly on Aug. 19, 2024.
He immigrated into the United States with his parents and two sisters in 1946.
Joe went to Dolores School, where he met Alice Saragosa. He was not one of Alice’s favorite people.
After Dolores School, he went to Santa Barbara Catholic High,
then transferred to Santa Barbara High School.
He enrolled in the Air Force in January 1956, and his longest duty station was in Japan as a protocol officer. He enjoyed practicing his Japanese with his patrons on his mail route.
Joe became a United States citizen prior to leaving the Air Force.
During his formative years after arriving from Mexico, Joe would hustle/fight for a corner to sell newspapers on the street after school, as well as shine shoes. He also was a caddy at the Valley Club, where he had the pleasure of meeting Al Geiberger.
On his return from the service in 1960, he worked temporarily for Car Color Craft Auto Body owned by the Sanchez Brothers, until he was called by the U.S. Postal Service. He was with the Post Office until his retirement in 1991.
Joe once again met Alice Saragosa in 1962, and they were married in May 1963.
After their marriage, Joe became active in civic affairs, first with the incorporation of Carpinteria, then working to elect the first City Council.
He went on to join the American G.I. Forum, where he rose to a state position.
Joe couldn’t stay still, so he joined the Santa Barbara/Puerto Vallarta Sister Cities and spent many years visiting Puerto Vallarta and other places in Mexico, making many wonderful friends who were like a second family.
Along with this, he at one point belonged to the Optimist Club and Carpinteria Beautiful. In 1993, he was honored as Carpinterian of the Year for his work removing graffiti in our city.
Joe loved motorcycles and old cars. On many a Sunday he would take the family to motorcycle races or Studebaker meets. He also had a Datsun Fairlady, which he used to take his kids to Rincon Beach or Red Rock. How they loved that little red car!
Joe loved fishing! At one time he had a boat he would take out to the islands. He eventually sold that vessel, but on a trip to Baja California, he found Loreto, Mexico. He loved it to the point that he bought a piece of property there, formed a fishing camp (really rustic), and he and friends would go down once a year and fish.
His most loyal fisherman partner was Richard Olivas. What a pair!
I’m sure many will remember Joe’s little white truck. Every day, he would “cruise” Carpinteria. He so loved this town.
Joe leaves an emptiness in the heart of his wife of 61 years, Alice. He was immensely proud of his children Andie Brown, Juan Carlos Vazquez, Dolores Mecham (Alex), and Sylvia Baugh (Jason); grandchildren Jackson Damron (Caitlyn), Maxwell Damron, Joseph D. Vazquez, Daniel Vazquez (Piper), Ben Vazquez, Cooper Mecham, Ruby Mecham, Kelsey Hayes (Josh), Courtney Falkenborg (Will) and Harrison Baugh; and great-grandchildren Nora and Jay Damron, Elliott Joy, Sawyer, Caleb and Oliver Hayes, and William “Billy” and Felix Falkenborg.
He is also survived by his siblings Silvia Yolanda Avila (Raul), Juan Ruben Vazquez (Lydia), Francisco “Frankie” Vazquez and Martha Christensen (Jim); and an enormous number of cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Eucario and Maria (Cuca) Vazquez; sister Neyla Jimenez (Danny); and his niece Deanna Vazquez.
A funeral mass will be held for Joe at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at St. Joseph’s Chapel on Seventh Street in Carpinteria, followed by interment at Carpinteria Cemetery. A reception will follow.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Vitalant Blood Services.
Joe had a great ride!