Joe Aguilar

PHOENIX – Joe Negrete Aguilar born October 1928 in Texas, passed away August 2018 at the age of 89 in Phoenix, AZ. As a boy and young man, Joe worked as a migrant worker following the crops from the vegetable fields, fruit orchards and groves of the American Midwest to the Pacific coast. He volunteered and entered active service at Fort Ord, CA in November 1950. After completing basic training he served more than a year with the 7th Army in Korea and in 1952, when relieved from active duty, he was transferred to the Army Reserve and honorably discharged in 1956. Joe was awarded the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Star, and the UN Service Medal. After completion of active duty, Joe returned to the valley and worked as a pipe cutter in Phoenix, continued his education and ultimately completed his high school GED. He was hired to work with the Glendale Elementary School District and retired as a school custodian in 1988. Joe, the fifth child (3rd son) of Guadalupe Negrete and Pablo Aguilar, was predeceased by his brothers Gilberto Aguilar, Luis Aguilar, Pasqual Aguilar, and his sister Lorenza Contreras. He is survived by a son, Jeffrey Lucas, foster- daughter, Katrina Lewis and his loving sisters and brothers, Mary Adame, Rafaela Ortiz, Librada Regan, Lupe Aguilar, Refugio Aguilar and Paul Aguilar; three grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Additionally he is survived by 24 nieces and nephews, and 63 grand and great nieces and nephews who loved and will miss their Uncle/ Tio Joe. Visitation and Rosary will be Monday, August 27th from 6PM-9PM at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, AZ. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, August 28th at 10AM at OLPH Catholic Church, 5614 W. Orangewood Avenue in Glendale followed by burial at Resthaven Park Cemetery.