Joe Willie Anguiano was born on January 26, 1950, and passed away in his home in Orange, California, on the morning of January 7, 2021, from complications due to Covid-19. He was 70 years old. All who knew him will remember Joe as a loving and loyal husband, father, grandfather, friend, and professor.
Joe leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years, Susan Anguiano; his daughters, Rachel Sosta and Rebecca Anguiano; his son, Joseph Anguiano; his sons-in-law, Joseph Sosta and Adam Reich; and his grandchildren Michael and Ella Sosta.
Born in Los Angeles, California, to Jose and Gloria Frances Anguiano, Joe grew up loving books, sports (especially baseball), and observing the world around him. He also enjoyed being a big brother to his two sisters, Julie and Cathy. Following a divorce from Gloria Frances, Joe’s father married Martha, and gave Joe a half-brother, Michael. After graduating high school, Joe studied journalism at California State University, Los Angeles, where he met his wife, Susan Castañeda, in his final year. Joe and Susan were married on June 19, 1976, and had three children, Rachel, Rebecca, and Joseph.
Joe had several careers throughout his life. After college, he worked in journalism and advertising. In the early 1990s, Joe went back to school (California State University, Fullerton) in pursuit of a master’s degree so he could become an English and composition professor. He was then proud to serve as a dedicated member of the Department of English and Media Studies and a Puente advisor at Riverside City College for the next twenty-five years, up until his last day on this earth.
Joe loved scuba diving and sailing, tennis and skiing, reading and writing, and singing along to classic rock while driving just a little too fast in his car. But more than anything, Joe loved gathering with his family. From political discussions during family meals with his wife and children to action-movie dates with his son and sons-in-law to dog walks and waffle breakfasts with his grandson and holding his newborn granddaughter, Joe was never happier than when he was surrounded by the family he and Susan created together.
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