Jose Agaton Bernardo, 89, peacefully joined the Lord Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at home surrounded by family. Born April 21,1928 in the barrio of Santa Maria in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. In 1945 he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Korean War. After his service he started a family in Stockton, CA and is survived by his wife Helen Bernardo, three siblings, Conrado, Felipe and Lolita (Rudy), seven children Robert, Anne (Dennis), John, Mark (Lisa), Teresa (Rick),Thomas, and Marcia (Paul), and six grandchildren, Claire, Stephen, Alexa, Jared, Emily and Andrew. Jose earned an A.A. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Stockton Junior College, and for over 30 years was the small business owner of JB Construction & Engineering. In 1972, he founded the Filipino Center Plaza where he continued to serve on the board of the Associated Filipino Organizations of San Joaquin County. A recognized leader, his talents, vision, and values were reflected in his dedicated service on many local and state organizations. Jose was elected to the Governing Board of the Stockton Unified School District for 3 terms. He also served on the board of the California Human Development Corporation, Stockton Fil-Am Lions Club, and as a member of the San Joaquin Civil Service Commission and the Grand Jury of San Joaquin County. Jose was one of the first Filipino appointees of Governor Jerry Brown and was appointed to the California State Board of Registered Nursing and the California State Contractors Licensing Board. For his tireless dedication to community service, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Human Letters in 2010 from California State University, Stanislaus. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 11am - 4pm with Rosary at 2pm at DeYoung Memorial Chapel, 601 N. California St., Stockton. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 10am at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 3847 N. Sutter St., Stockton. Committal will be at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, 719 E. Harding Wy, Stockton, with a reception to follow.
