Joe D. Rocha, age 80, of Hilmar passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021, at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock. He was born on November 29, 1940, in Santa Barbara, Terceira, Azores to Estacio Rocha and Maria C. Dias.
Joe did his service in the military for his country before returning to the family farm. It wasn’t long before he met the love of his life, Celina M. Enes. They spent some time together going to festa’s and bullfights for a short time in Terceira before Celina was called by her parents to come to America, where they were already settled and beginning their life. My mom left her fiancée, my dad, behind but knew she would return.
Celina returned to the Azores after a short stay in California. On March 1, 1970, Joe D. Rocha married Celina, his lifelong bride. Later that year on June 13, 1970, with a lot of courage they left many family behind, and with two pieces of luggage, they set out on this new journey to start their new life and achieve the American Dream.
They arrived in Tulare where Celina and her siblings were and where her uncle owned and operated a dairy. Joe started working on a Dairy as a milker and would often give up his days off, so he could earn extra money to save, while my mom stayed home. After a couple years in Tulare, they moved to Merced and eventually settled here, in Hilmar, where they bought their first home and raised their family.
Growing up in the Island of Terceria, Azores, my dad lived a simple life on the farm, where they raised livestock, grew forage crops, homegrown fruit and vegetables. There they relied on every member of the family to do their part to make ends meet. Joe had a strong belief in his faith, family, honesty, and having an unwavering work ethic.
He loved carrying on his traditions of going to Festas and loved to laugh and spend good quality time with his family, brothers-in-law, and close friends. He loved seeing his sons, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews grow up. He believed in his faith and was a devoted member of the Catholic community. He believed in attending mass regularly and supporting holy celebrations in his local community.
Joe was proud to be a naturalized American citizen and loved his community of Hilmar. He enjoyed working at Hilmar Unified Schools for so many years where he developed many friendships.
He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar and he was a member of P.F.S.A. (Portuguese Fraternal Society of America).
He was preceded in death by his parents Estacio and Maria Rocha and is survived by his wife of 51 years, my mom, Celina Rocha of Hilmar; his son Daniel E. Rocha and his wife, Betty Jean, of Hilmar; his son Donny L. Rocha of Modesto; and his sister Maria Fatima Toste of Santa Barbara, Terceira, Azores. He also has three grandchildren, Grace, Kaylene and Jace Rocha to honor his memory.
Joe is going to me missed by his wife, family and friends whom he loved so dearly. May his soul Rest in Peace.
