Joseph Roletto

December 2, 1923 - September 11, 2017

Joseph Roletto died peacefully on September 11th, 2017 at his home in San Mateo, Calif. He was 93 years old.

A native of San Francisco, Joe grew up in the Mission District with his parents Dominic and Magdalana Roletto, as well as his younger sister Elvira “Babe” Roletto.

He attended Balboa High School and graduated in 1942. As part of the Greatest Generation, he endured the hardships of the Great Depression and WWII. During the war, he served as Petty Officer on the USS Adhara, aboard which he survived the Battle of Guadalcanal.

In 1948, Joe married Norma “Nickie” Jean Hayes and raised three beautiful daughters: Denice, Joyce and Jan in San Mateo, Calif.

He was well known in auto racing circles as a fierce competitor, winning many track titles and championships throughout California during a career that spanned 45 years. During the 60s, when races from Champion Speedway in Brisbane, Calif. were broadcast on KTVU Channel 2 every Saturday afternoon, the announcers nicknamed Joe “Rollover Roletto” after a typically hard-fought race ended with him crossing the finish-line in first place upside down on his roof.

He is survived by his daughters Joyce and Jan, and his grandchildren Graham and Caitlin Faulknor and Jayme and Tyler Dietzen of San Francisco, Calif. For all his many accomplishments, his proudest achievement was a loving father and grandfather. He dedicated his life to his family, and he will forever live in our hearts.

A private family interment service will be held on Thursday, October 5th, 2017 in the San Francisco Bay. Memorials are suggested to the Greater Farallones Association.