Joe de Anda Gomez

Joe de Anda Gomez of Menifee, California, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2011 in his home accompanied by his wife, Paula, who was by his side. Joe joins his parents, Jose and Maria; and brothers, Ralph and Guadalupe "Walo", who predeceased him. Joe had just turned 78. Joe and Paula were three weeks away from celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. The third eldest of ten children, Joe was born on August 8, 1933 in Miami, Arizona to Maria de Anda and Jose Gomez of Jalisco, Mexico. He is survived by his siblings Jennie Hermandez, Miguel Gomez, Dolores Correa, Socorro Gomez, Tony Gomez and Mario Gomez. The de Anda's were a large family headed by Joe's grandmother, Isabel Marquez and grandfather, Pablo de Anda, proprietors of a small neighborhood market, where Joe worked with his grandfather from time to time. Joe began elementary school in Miami, but in the 1940's the family left Miami and moved to Cucamonga, California. For a brief period the family lived in a farm labor camp, La Mission, adjacent to the corner of Archibald and Haven Blvd. They later moved to a small home on Main Street in Cucamonga. Joe and his brothers found work in local vineyards in the surrounding area. In time, Joe and the eldest siblings, Ralph, Walo and Miguel also traveled the state as farm workers to help support the family. Between seasons, Joe attended Cucamonga elementary school and for a brief period, Chaffey High School. Joe, as well as his brother Walo, entered the military during the early stages of the Korean War, where Joe did a tour of duty in South Korea as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force. He was stationed in South Korea for most of the war, was honorably discharged and returned to the southland when his tour of duty ended. Joe married his neighborhood sweetheart, Paula Holguin, of Ontario, California, in 1956. Married nearly 55 years, Joe and Paula had three children, Jorge Gomez, married to Loren Leshan of Sarasota, Florida, Joe, Jr. of Perris and Bernadette Gomez, married to Shahnam Davani of San Francisco. They are the grandparents to three boys, Lorenzo, Nicholas, and Kian. Joe truly loved his grandsons. Shortly after returning from service, Joe left farm labor to become an insurance agent for American National Insurance company, one of the first Chicano insurance producers in the Pomona Valley. He later became a regional director for the company and relocated to the San Fernando Valley for several years. Joe spent 12 years with American National, but left to start several independent agencies in the Pomona Valley, the last, Gomez Insurance, which he ran with his brother, Walo on Holt Avenue in Pomona. When he left the insurance business, Joe worked with several law firms in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, which he continued to do up until his passing. He enjoyed helping people, and making certain that regardless of their circumstances, that their legal rights were protected. Joe is survived by a large extended family of siblings, nephews and cousins, who live throughout California and Arizona. Visitation will be 9-10:00 AM, Thursday, Sept 8, 2011 at the Stone Funeral Home. Rosary will be 10:30 AM with Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM Thursday at San Secondo d'Asti Catholic Church, 250 N. Turner Ave, Guasti, Ca 91743. Burial with Military honor will be at Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario. A Reception will follow at the church hall. Stone Funeral Home, Upland in charge of arrangements.