Emile Albert Joseph Mestressat Jr.

Born Emile Albert Joseph Mestressat Jr. on April 8, 1938 in San

Jose, California. Entered into rest at home after a short hospital stay

on December 22, 2016 in San Jose, California at age 78.

Emile was preceded in death by his parents Emile A. Mestressat Sr.

of San Jose, California and Ann F. Sunseri Mestressat of Texas,

Maryland. He is survived by his wife Phyllis A. Hudnall Mestressat

and children Emile III, Gregory (Tammy), Mark, Jeffrey, Jeanine

(Steve), Eric (Lori), 6 grandchildren (Krystle Siersema, Chris Hahn,

Brian Cochron, Katie Cibelli, Andy and Scott Larson) 5 greatgrandchildren

(Bre and Colby Hahn, Rylen, Asa, and Silas Cibelli),

his beloved fat cat “Little Bear” all 26 pounds of him, as well as many

cousins, and friends.

He met Phyllis in 1956 in San Jose (at his Senior Ball) and married

her in 1957 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Reno, Nevada. They

remained together (married 59 years) until his death. Emile never left

the San Jose area, where he raised his family. He attended St.

Josephʼs School and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in

1956. He worked for General Electric Company from 1956, starting

as a mail clerk in San Jose, then moved to the Vallecitos Nuclear

Laboratory near Livermore, where he was a secretary and Jr. Buyer,

upon returning to San Jose, he became a Senior Buyer for GEʼs

Nuclear Energy Division until he retired in 1993. After a couple of

years of retirement, he got bored and went back to work for Sanmina

as a buyer from 1995 to 2002. In his retirement years, Emile and

Phyllis enjoyed traveling back and forth to Reno to visit friends and

for a little fun on the penny slot machines. That doesnʼt mean he only

spent one cent, but if he could have, he would have! Emile loved to

travel with family and friends. He was able to take Phyllis to Hong

Kong and Japan on one business trip. They bought a beautiful motor

home that allowed them to make quick weekend trips to the California

beach to meet up with friends and family. They also made trips to

Laughlin and Yosemite. They made an 30 day trip to Victoria,

Vancouver, Lake Louise & Banff Canada, then down to Yellowstone

& Grand Tetonʼs, then home. They travelled to Hawaii a few times,

and cruised to Alaska three different times.

Over the years, Emile enjoyed and served in many different activities

and clubs. Emile enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Dad as a

youngster and into his early adulthood. Being a Ham Radio operator

was one of his favorite hobbies. He enjoyed communicating with

people from all over the world, earning his Ham Radio license around

1952 and his call sign was K6HOB. Another interest of Emileʼs was

flying small aircraft. He stopped just short of earning his pilots license,

landing dead stick (without engine) on his first solo flight, and

successfully completing his second. Emile liked different forms of

music, from classical songs (his favorite piece to play on the piano

was Ebb Tide), as well as songs for the 50ʼs and 60ʼs. Johnny Cash,

the Beach Boys and Neil Diamond were among his favorite artists.

He also played the guitar (6 and 12 string) as part of the music

ministry for Transfiguration Catholic Church.

He was an avid soccer fan of the original San Jose Earthquakes team

(NASL team in the 70ʼs) and his passion for soccer, led him to he

coach his son Ericʼs team as a young player. After his coaching days

were over, he refereed high and middle school soccer games.

Can you say NASCAR! Emile was huge NASCAR fan – following

Dale Earnhardt Sr. (until his death in 2001) and then Dale Jr. Every

Sunday during the racing season, he could be found in the chair

closest to the television set, cheering on his favorite NASCAR racers.

It wasnʼt always “G” rated! For almost 10 years, he traveled to the Las

Vegas Motor Speedway (near the Nellis Air Force Base) with his long

time friend and co-worker, Bill Dye. Phyllis was a vital part of this

racing trip, her job was to sit between the two of them at the race and

try to keep them awake.

Emile was involved with his childrenʼs education as well, as he served

on the Athenour Home and School Club as President and Board

member for many years. Scouting was an activity that he shared with

his sons. No Jeanine. In the Boy Scouts of America, he served as a

Cub Scout Den Leader, Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster &

Scoutmaster and Hattape Chapter Adviser, Miwok Lodge 439, Order

of the Arrow.

Friends and family are invited for Visitation on Monday, January 2,

2017, from 5:00-9:00 PM with the Rosary at 7 PM, at Lima Family

Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd. Santa Clara, CA

95050. Funeral Service to be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at

1:00 PM at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, and followed by

internment at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St., Santa

Clara, CA 95050 (across from Lima) at 2:00 PM. Reception to follow

at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary.