Jose, known as Joe to his friends, was born to Macario Sison and Teodora Siobal on September 28, 1936 in Alcala, Pangasinan, Philippines. He spent his childhood in Bautista, Pangasinan where he attended Bautista Public School and Bayambang High School. He moved to Manila Philippines where he attended Mapua Institute of Technology where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He met his wife, Estrella while in college and they got married on October 24, 1959. They had always dreamed of emigrating to the United States and that dream came into fruition in 1969 when he and his three children immigrated to the United States to join his wife. He and his family settled in Delano where he found work in the grape vineyards, Cambridge Filter Corporation and Trident Seafoods, Alaska. He retired in 2002. Joe’s life was a testament to sacrifice, dedication and love.
Joe’s loving spirit is carried on by his wife, Estrella, his children, Jocelyn Sison Watts (Gary), Elaine Sison Lebrilla (Carlito), Richard, and Erica Sison Buenaventura (Dean) and grandchildren Kyle Sison, Alethea Chao (Ethan), James Sison, Xavier Lebrilla, Zachary Lebrilla, Ysabelle Lebrilla, Derek Sison-Buenaventura, Aubrey Sison-Buenaventura, Evan Sison-Buenaventura, Noah Sison-Buenaventura and 2 great grandchildren, Korra Chao, and Koen Chao. Preceding him in peace were his parents, Macario and Teodora and his siblings, Eligio, Librada, Felicitacion, Esmenia, Pedro and Flora.
Joe and Estrella believed that a good education will lead to a successful life and have strived to ensure that their children complete their college education. His quiet strength, encouragement and deep commitment were invaluable. Joe loved his family and although not expressed often, he showed his love in many ways by supporting his wife in all her endeavors and more often than not, participating in her many activities; making sure all family vehicles were kept in good condition; maintaining the home and making numerous home improvements; greeting his children with a happy smile when they came to visit, waving them off when they left to go home; and most remembered of all is rocking their babies to sleep while humming a lullaby of his own creation.
Joe was actively involved in numerous organizations in the Delano Community for almost 45 years. His fundraising and volunteering activities has benefited many organizations such as the Filipino Catholic Association, Filipino-American Cultural and Educational Organization, Filipino Community of Delano, and Kern Tulare Senior Citizen Organization. He was named senior citizen of the year by the Filipino Community of Delano.
He loved to travel, especially on cruises and has been to the Mexican Riviera, Eastern and Western Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Alaska. Most of all, he loved traveling to visit his children and their families in Northern and Southern California. Joe is a jack of all trades and there was not an appliance he could not take apart and put together, but his one passion is growing vegetables in his garden. The summer dinner table will always include the vegetables he grew.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024 starting at 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Delano, 707 Browning Road, Delano, California 93215. A rosary will occur during the visitation from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A mass of Christian burial will occur Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at12:00 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1015 Clinton Street, Delano, CA 93215. A committal services will occur on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm at North Kern Cemetery District, 627 Austin St., Delano, CA 93215.
Services entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Delano, a Dignity Memorial provider.
PALLBEARERS
Richard Sison
James Sison
Carlito Lebrilla
Xavier Lebrilla
Zachary Lebrilla
Dean Sison-Buenaventura
Derek Sison-Buenaventura
Ethan Chao
Gary Watts
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