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Joseph Mena's Obituary
Obituary of Joseph Mena
Joseph Mena passed away peacefully with family beside him. Our "Papa" and "Tito Joe" was 95. He was the son of Spanish immigrants, Juan and Juana Mena. He was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Mountain View, CA. He graduated from Mountain View High School in 1940.
Joseph was predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary. He is survived by his two sons, Dennis (Elaine) and Alan (Patti), three grandchildren, Lori Zemaitis (Tim), Mandi Mena, and Matt Mena, and two great-grandchildren, Cal and Payton Zemaitis, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joe Mena worked in an armory in Benicia, CA before deciding to enlist in the USAAF. He served in WWII as an Aerial Gunner--a tail gunner, in a B-17 with the 301BG, 15th AF out of Foggia, Italy. Other battles and campaigns included Air Off Europe, Southern France, Air Off Balkans, Northern France, GO 33 WD 45, Rome, Arno, Rhineland, North Appennines, and GO 40 WD 45. His decorations and citations include the Air Medal GO 1 915th Hq 15th AF 18, July 44 with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
After his years of service, Joe Mena had his own business, Joseph's Carpet Service, and worked as a carpet layer for over 30 years with his brother-in-law, Joseph Fernandez. He loved playing bingo, spending time with his roses in the garden, and watching the Giants, Warriors, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play. He was an avid bowler and golfer in his younger years and had a hole in one! He was a member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 301st Bomb Group Association, and the Spanish Heritage.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Spangler's Mortuary, 174 N. Sunnyvale Avenue, Sunnyvale from 5-8:30 p.m. and a Vigil at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Martin Parish Catholic Church, 593 Central Avenue, Sunnyvale on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 10a.m., followed by a graveside service with a military honor guard at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Mena, please visit Tribute Store
Joseph Mena passed away peacefully with family beside him. Our "Papa" and "Tito Joe" was 95. He was the son of Spanish immigrants, Juan and Juana Mena. He was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Mountain View, CA. He graduated from Mountain View High School in 1940.
Joseph was predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary. He is survived by his two sons, Dennis (Elaine) and Alan (Patti), three grandchildren, Lori Zemaitis (Tim), Mandi Mena, and Matt Mena, and two great-grandchildren, Cal and Payton Zemaitis, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joe Mena worked in an armory in Benicia, CA before deciding to enlist in the USAAF. He served in WWII as an Aerial Gunner--a tail gunner, in a B-17 with the 301BG, 15th AF out of Foggia, Italy. Other battles and campaigns included Air Off Europe, Southern France, Air Off Balkans, Northern France, GO 33 WD 45, Rome, Arno, Rhineland, North Appennines, and GO 40 WD 45. His decorations and citations include the Air Medal GO 1 915th Hq 15th AF 18, July 44 with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
After his years of service, Joe Mena had his own business, Joseph's Carpet Service, and worked as a carpet layer for over 30 years with his brother-in-law, Joseph Fernandez. He loved playing bingo, spending time with his roses in the garden, and watching the Giants, Warriors, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play. He was an avid bowler and golfer in his younger years and had a hole in one! He was a member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 301st Bomb Group Association, and the Spanish Heritage.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Spangler's Mortuary, 174 N. Sunnyvale Avenue, Sunnyvale from 5-8:30 p.m. and a Vigil at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Martin Parish Catholic Church, 593 Central Avenue, Sunnyvale on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 10a.m., followed by a graveside service with a military honor guard at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Mena, please visit Tribute Store
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Mena, please visit our flower store.
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