Joseph Marcelo Vazquez
Joseph Marcelo Vazquez graced this world with his presence beginning on January 16, 1938 in Mexico City, He left us just as quickly on August 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 and then transferred to Santa Barbara High. 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, he would hustle/fight for a corner to sell newspapers on the street after school as well as shine shoes, and 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. He 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 and working to elect the first City Council. He went on to join the American G.I. Forum where he rose to a State position. He 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 also belonged to the Optimist Club and Carpinteria Beautiful. in 1993, he was honored as Carpinterian of the Year for his work in removing graffiti in our city.
He 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 had a boat that he would take out on the islands. He eventually sold that vessel, then on a trip to Baja California, he found Loreto. Loved it to the point that he bought apiece 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), Sylvia Baugh (Jason); Grandchildren: Jackson Damron (Caitlyn) and Maxwell Damron; Joseph D. Vazquez, Daniel Vazquez (Piper) and Ben Vazquez; Cooper Mecham and Ruby Mecham; Kelsey Hayes (Josh), Courtney Falkenborg (Will) and Harrison Baugh. Great Grandchildren: Nora and Jay Damron; Elliott Joy, Sawyer, Caleb and Oliver Hayes; Wiliam (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 amount of cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Eucario and Maria (Cuca) Vazquez. his sister, Neyla Jimenez and her husband, Danny, as well as his niece, Deanna Vazquez.
A funeral mass will be held for Joe on Saturday, September 14, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Chapel on Seventh Street in Carpinteria, followed by internment at Carpinteria Cemetery. Reception to follow. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Vitalant Blood Services.
He had a great ride!