Joe Albert Gonzales

SAN DIEGO, CA — On February 12, 2022 we lost a kind soul, Joe Albert Gonzales at age 96. Joe was born in Lemon Grove on April 22, 1926 to Juan Escobedo Gonzalez and Cruz Romero Gonzalez. Joe Albert was raised with his thirteen brothers and sisters in San Diego’s Logan Heights.

He was proud of his father who fought in the Mexican Revolution with Pancho Villa, and who in 1931 led the famed Lemon Grove School desegregation Boycott and lawsuit.

In 1944 Joe joined the U.S. Army. He and three of his brothers served in WWII. Joe fought in the Battle of Okinawa and served in the 96th Infantry Division, the “Deadeyes”. The entire Division received the nation’s highest award: The Presidential Unit Citation, an honor usually awarded to battalions or regiments. Joe was so proud of the 96th that it became his favorite number, and

April 22, 1926 - February 12, 2023 decades ago he called his shot, saying “I am going to live to 96.” In 2010, Joe went with his son Arnold to Okinawa for the 65th Anniversary. “They treated me like a general!”

He worked as a Contractor, building over 60,000 homes in San Diego, California and Las Vegas. His legacy inspired his son Vincent to follow in his footsteps as a Contractor in San Diego as well.

In 1950 at age 24 he married beautiful Martha Calderon and hosted many lovely events for friends and family in

their beautiful home. They had two sons whom they loved dearly, Arnold and Vincent, who later gave them their beautiful granddaughters Nicole and Madison, then their lovely great-granddaughter

Abigail. In 1980, he was remarried to Jill Dunable and shared a great love and worked together for some time, and in 1983, when Joe was 57, they were blessed with twins Rachel and Matthew Gonzales. Through life’s experiences, he most relished his four children’s lives and their families.

Joe loved family parties, reunions, stories and laughter, Mariachi music. Also loved boxing and enjoyed rooting for the Padres.

As we bid farewell to a father, war hero, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, we recall a man of kindness, respect and a strong work ethic.

Joe Albert was preceded in death by his parents Cruz and Juan, brothers

Frank, Jerry, Jess, John, Louie, Art, Manuel and Bobby; sisters Julia, Micha and Minnie.

Joe is survived by children Arnold (Cece), Vincent (Nikki), Rachael (Jeremy), Matt (Leanne), granddaughters Nicole and Madison, greatgranddaughter Abigail, step-daughters Debbie Calhoun (Larry) and Marie Aparicio (Albert), sisterin-law Jacqueline Gouin (Ken) and brothers-in-law Bill and Dana Dunable; sister Alice Gomez and brother Henry Gonzales (Sally); several hundred nieces and nephews and many friends.

SERVICES: Rosary: Tues, March 7, 2023 5-8pm, Community Mortuary 855 Broadway, Chula Vista 91911.

Mass: Wed, March 8, 2023 11am St. John of the Cross, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove. Reception following Mass.

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