Joel Vitug Acebu

Joel Vitug Acebu was born on February 2, 1975 in Mountain View, California, at El Camino Hospital. He was the third child of Valentin Acebu Jr. and Evangeline Vitug. Joel was raised in San Jose and lived his entire life in the Silicon Valley. When Joel was younger, he played soccer and baseball and had an endless collection of baseball cards and Star Wars action figures. In college, Joel attended Heald Institute where he took up electrical courses. He worked

at various electronic companies, including with his Mom at Celeritek and also HP. However, prior to Joel’s tragic accident, he worked with Service Champions.

In 2001, Joel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. By the time he was diagnosed, it was already at Stage 4. Without hesitation, Joel courageously and bravely endured the chemotherapy and radiation treatments and by 2005, we celebrated Joel’s one year of remission. After that, Joel remained cancer free for 12-years. In addition to surviving cancer, Joel also survived a motorcycle accident while riding with friends at Mount Hamilton. Joel was loved by many, especially his nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Joel is survived by his parents (Valentin and Evangeline), brother (James), sisters (Michelle and Melissa), and nieces and nephews (Alan James, Carmina, Leila, Kiana, Xavier and Phoenix) and also many relatives.