Joseph D Halder

1937-2024

Joe was born on July 15, 1937, in Erie, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Rose Halder. He was the oldest of two brothers (Ron & Bob) and sister (Ro). He graduated from Cathedral Prep High School in Erie in 1955. During this time, he worked at his father’s gas station where he learned the many skills he would go on to be known for throughout his life! Joe was known as the “Fix it” man, and if he couldn’t fix it…he’d create a tool that could!

In Erie, he worked for Bliley Electric Co. and at WJET Radio Station. Joe proudly served in the United States Air Force Reserve for eight years as an electrical mechanic. He married his grade school sweetheart, the love of his life, Katherine Grode of Erie, PA in 1958. They started a family of three, and in 1965 moved to Rialto, California. In California, they became parishioners (and the handyman) of St. Catherines and continued to grow their family with five more children. You could always find ‘The Halders” in church on Sunday mornings starting with the oldest: Kathy, Beth, Joe, Mary Ellen, Carrie, Margaret, Patty, and Nancy.

Joe continued his electronic/engineering skills while he worked as the audio-visual teacher at Rialto Junior High School, and he finished his career at the Department of Defense where he retired in 2000. In 2019, with the onset of Alzheimer’s they moved to Winchester, Ca. where Joe relaxed and looked back fondly on his memories until his passing on December 30, 2024.

Throughout his life Joe always made himself available to anyone who called upon him. He will be remembered as the big softie, the man who could fix and build anything. He loved to tinker in his garage (in which everything was kept). He was the man who always had a tool for “that,” and the guy you went to, who would fix your car whenever needed!

Joe was a simple man who adored his wife, was proud of his children, his eleven grandchildren & nine great-grandchildren. He was the happiest when he was surround by family. Our Dad will be remembered for his accordion and organ playing, his love of toe tapping music, airplanes, trains, automobiles, and simple comfort food.

Joe Halder will always be remembered for his BIG heart, and his selfless deeds.