Joaquin M. Villarreal

Joaquin M. Villarreal 75, of San José, CA, passed away suddenly in San José, Ca on May 30, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Maria del Socorro, his sister Natalia and brother Benito of Mexico, his children Socorro Arce, Jose Alfredo (Cindy Carla), Joaquin, Jr., Sonia Clemente (Daniel), & Mariela, his grandchildren Araceli Mier, Alejandrina, Francisco Luis, Paula, Gerardo, and Virginia Arce, Ruben, Sabrina, and Alyssa Villarreal, and his great grandchildren Reynaldo, Cristian, and Gabriela Arce of San José. He was greeted in heaven by his parents, Julian Villarreal and Maria Medrano and his sister, Socorro. Joaquin was born in Nuevo Ideal, Durango, Mexico on August 16, 1932. He lost his father at a young age and as eldest son became head of the household. He came to the U.S. as a bracero in 1950 first working in Texas then came to San José in 1966 where he met Maria del Socorro Alcantar. They married November 13, 1971. Joaquin was proud of being a hard worker. During his 42 years as a San José resident he worked in the Del Monte Cannery, Cargill Salt Co., and Deep Cliff Golf Course, while simultaneously working as a landscaper/gardener at private homes to give his family a better life. He gladly shared his personal experiences and historical knowledge of Pancho Villa. He was proud of being Mexican and loved norteño music. He lived simply, only indulging in the occasional vaquero suit and tejana hats he wore often. He loved growing his own chiles and tomatoes in his garden and had a talent for making even the most fragile plants thrive. Of all the things he nurtured and cultivated, his greatest source of pride and devotion was his family. He was happiest when surrounded by his children and grandchildren for whom all his hard work and sacrifice were directed. Through the ups and downs of life he never gave up on continued progress for them all and continued to work towards it until his last breath. He passed on his strong work ethic and love of family to his children and will continue to inspire them as they work to continue to make him proud. Vigil from 5-9 pm, Rosary at 7 pm on Friday, June 6. Funeral services at 10 am Saturday, June 7 all at Chapel of Flowers Funeral Home, 900 S. Second Street, San Jose, CA. Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA at approx 11:30 am.