Joseph A. Kunze

After eleven days at home filled with family love, Joseph (83) passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17, 2013. He was the first born of German immigrants at the St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara, on August 8, 1930. Joe attended Goleta Union School, La Cumbre Junior High School, and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1948.

At sixteen, he began his career in the grocery business. Joe was very proud of the sixty years spent at Crismon’s Market and Santa Cruz Market on Hollister Avenue in Goleta, He enjoyed his working staff and friendships in the community.

Joe married his beloved Shirley Marie Chard in 1957 at Santa Barbara Mission. They shared 56 years together raising a family, traveling to their favorite Hawaiian Islands, attending family dinners every Sunday for years, and surviving four life threatening experiences. He loved his family and instilled in them family values, discipline, strong work ethic, and love for God. Joe’s main hobby was enjoying his cars, a ’41 Pontiac, a 1952 Mercury Monterrey, and two Rancheros. Joe was a member of the Santa Barbara Acceleration Association of Goleta, the first drag racing organization in the world. He was the “Starter” for the drag races held on the Santa Barbara Airport Grounds. His cultivating of beautiful roses was his second hobby followed by working word searches.

Joe donated generously to charitable and religious organizations. He was a devout member of St. Raphael Church, participating as an usher, Eucharistic minister, and Sacristan for the Mass with Jess Martinez. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus (1684) for 63 years.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Emma Kunze, and infant son, Dale. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, daughter Diana (Michael) Mina, sons, Daryl (Sherri) and Dean (Annette) Kunze, grandchildren, Denise Farmer (Jordan), Dominick Kunze (Kristen), Dustin Kunze, Nicholas Mina, Cole, Aaron, Gabriel, and Isabella Kunze, and step-grandchildren Jake and Tyler Forshey, great granddaughters Emma Nicole Kunze and Julia Elise Farmer. Joe is survived by his sister, Margaret Harris, brothers Herbert (Ginny) and John (Nancy) Kunze, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joseph could answer to husband, Dad, Pops, Pompa, Papa, Grandpa, Great Grandpa and “Mayor.” He had integrity, patience, honor, a sense of humor and was a good listener.

A rosary is scheduled on Wednesday, August 28th, at 7 p.m., and the funeral mass on Thursday, August 29th, at 10 a.m., both at St. Raphael Church in Goleta.

The Kunze Family extends a sincere thank you for the friendship and exemplary care of Dr. Robert S. Wright, Dr. Claudio Bonometti, and Dr, Paul S. Tierstein and his team at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, CA. The nurses at Hospice who supported Joe’s home care were appreciated.

Remembrances may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Raphael’s, and Catholic Charities.