Joel P. MENDOZA

About

San Mateo High School Santa Rosa Junior College University of California| Berkeley

FUNERAL HOME

Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. - Santa Rosa

1225 Sonoma Avenue

Santa Rosa, California

Joel MENDOZA Obituary

82, of Santa Rosa, California passed away on March 30, 2014. Joel was born in Oakland, California on April 10, 1931 to Getulio A. Mendoza, Sr. and his wife Eugenia. Getulio served in the U.S. Navy, and Eugenia was a homemaker and business owner. The family-including Joel's older brother Getulio Jr.-lived in the Philippines from 1934 to 1940. On their return to the States, they were interred at Angel Island for two weeks. The family settled in San Mateo, California. The boys went to public school, attending San Mateo High School where Joel did track and field (low hurdles, high jump and shot put). After graduating high school, Joel enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949. He fought in the Korean War and later served as a drill instructor. After discharge, he enrolled at UC Berkeley. In 1957 he began working for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at the Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. NACA became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) the following year. In 1958 Joel married Fay Asuelo from Santa Rosa, and they settled in the South Bay Area, first in Mountain View and then in Sunnyvale. They started a family and had three boys: Joel Mark, Kevin and Douglas. Joel worked for NASA for 37 years as an Aerospace Engineer. His achievements include a team award for detailing the signature of the sonic boom. For this and related studies, he put models of supersonic aircraft, including the space shuttle, through tests in the wind tunnels at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena, California as well as at Ames. In 1995 Joel retired from NASA with the rank of GS13, and he and Fay moved to Santa Rosa in 1997. He became a tutor of Physics and Math at Santa Rosa Junior College. Helping young people in the sciences was something he truly enjoyed, a job he held until earlier this year. In his retirement, Joel and Fay pursued their love of travel, visiting the Philippines, South America, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Russia, Canada and Alaska. Joel always had a wide range of interests: science, history, sailing, soccer, target shooting, Tai Chi, judo and fencing. He played the trumpet and loved music-everything from jazz standards to the Beatles. Joel is survived by his wife Fay; sons Joel Mark, Kevin and Douglas; granddaughters Grace, Mitsuki and Sophia; and his brother Getulio Jr. Services will be held Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Daniel's Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa (707-525-3730). Visitation from 1 p.m-4 p.m., Rosary and Remembrance from 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

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Published by Press Democrat from Apr. 6 to Apr. 9, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Joel MENDOZA

9 Entries

Kevin Mendoza

March 31, 2021

Sorry I'm a day late for the 7th anniversary of your passing, Dad. Still miss you terribly!

Cliff B

January 31, 2019

I'm not sure if any of Joel's family is reading this anymore, since it's a fairly old post. I met Joel at SRJC where he was tutoring physics and math, and I was just starting there as a prospective computer science student. Joel was such an influence on me academically that he was a huge reason why I stuck with my major, put in a lot of work, and ended up tutoring with him years later. He was one of the most kind people I've ever met, and the way he was able to show patience with the people he taught for any level of math was astonishing. He never got bored teaching basic arithmetic to people, nor did he only prefer higher-level math. He treated all the students equally and probably made more of an impact than most teachers did.

I found out about Joel's passing just through a random internet search to see if he was still tutoring. Rest in peace Joel, and hopefully others continue on your legacy.

April 16, 2014

Stories about a great man....
My father: When I was a little boy, my cousin Joel and I being the same age used to hang out a lot and we used to sit by the fence by the house in Paranaque. We bide the time watching cars and buses passing by. Joel will always have a pencil and a paper with him. He will draw a picture of the bus that passed by in a flash and when he finish, he will show me his drawing of the same bus that we saw every detail of it. Joel has a very good detailed memory and very good with drawing.

Auntie Glo: When I was in the States, Aunt Eugenia (Mamay) was a little strict with me being her niece and a girl. Kuya Joel was my defender againts Mamay. Kuya Joel would always say "Mom, let Gloria do what she wants to do, she's a grown woman. Don't treat her like a kid". Kuya Joel used to sneak me out of the house against Mamay's orders and we will drive around the area.

Me: The first time I met him when he was vacationing in the Philippines. I was quite nervous and doesn't know hos to address him. He approached me and introduced himself..."Hello, I am Uncle Joel, and this is Aunt Fay" introducing his wife as well. I felt comfortable right there and then.

For sure there will be lots and lots of testimonies regarding his good works, being a good man. My memories of him were simple ones but It made a huge impact to me and my family. His and Aunt Fay's generosity made the less fortunate relatives lives more cmfortable. Every year they will send something to make sure that relatives back home have good Christmas. He helped my father and Auntie Glo with their hospital/medical expenses. Until now Auntie Glo is living because of their caring and generous spirit.
Thank you Lord for the life of Uncle Joel P. Mendoza. Thank you for blessing us with such a great man and his equally generous wife, Aunt Fay. You know that You have taken a man that lots of people are looking up to, but it is Your will and Thy will be done. We know that you are going to give him a good seat in heaven for his faith in You and for his good example of how a human created by God should live.
We will miss you Uncle Joel, I may not have known you that much but for what little I've known you, Our family/relatives have lost a great man.
Till we meet again........

To Aunt Fay and family, thoughts and prayers are with you at this time..God bless you all.
From Rainelda and Family

April 10, 2014

Fay and family, we offer our condolences and hope your loving memories of Joel will sustain you during this sad time. Joseph and Delia Lanosa Rapolla

The Yoro Family

April 8, 2014

Manong Joel, I remember the Kung Fu dancing on the dance floor. We will always recall the gallon jug of Burgundy Wine. We have lots of memories close to our hearts. We will all miss you! ~ Roger, Polly, Chris and Dave
Love from The Yoro Family

Kevin Mendoza

April 8, 2014

I miss you, Dad!

April 7, 2014

I have fond memories of Joel and Faye when I was a child didn't know Joel as well but, always remembered he was kind gentle and very respectful towards my parents, Jenny and Benny Dayoan. My heart felt prayers for your family and dear friends.

Lorraine Puglisi

April 6, 2014

My deepest sympathy to the Mendoza family on Joel's passing. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Mary Sanchez

April 5, 2014

My condolences to the Mendoza Family. I will miss that smirky smile of uncle Joel's.
May his memories stay deep in your hearts. Love Mary, Eric, Eric and Aaron

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