Joseph Gonsalves "Joe" Maciel

1925 - 2010

Joseph Gonsalves Maciel Jr., 85, passed away October 24, 2010 following a courageous 15-year battle with cancer.

Joe was born on September 20, 1925 in Tulare California, to Joseph G and Estufania Maciel and was the youngest of five children. He attended Packwood Elementary School and Tulare Union High School before the family moved to Hanford in 1941.

Joe was was a life long dairyman, starting with his father and brother Tony as Joe G Maciel and Sons dairy. When his father retired, the business became Maciel Brothers. With the expansion of the families it was decided that Tony would start his own dairy and Joe entered into a partnership with his son Joe and son-in-law Bob Leal to form Joe G Maciel and Sons dairy once again. He retired in 1994.

Joe was a Korean War veteran. He fought at Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge. His company that fought at Heartbreak Ridge went in with 150 soldiers and only 23 returned.

He advanced quickly through the ranks and was discharged with honors from the Army as a Sergeant First Class after receiving a Good Conduct Medal.

He met the love of his life, the former Rosemary Barcellos, in 1948 when they were both attendants in his brother Tony's wedding. They were married on February 16, 1953, celebrating 57 years together.

He was a member of the Cabrillo club and also IDES Lodge. He attended Our Lady of Fatima church in Laton.

His hobby was the dairy life and horses. Up until his retirement he was up every day by 4:00 in the morning feeding animals and tending to the dairy. He also had ownership in a race horse for awhile and spent many days team roping with his family at a roping arena at the dairy.

Joe displayed outstanding courage and strength throughout his 15 year battle with cancer. At his original diagnosis he was told to get his things in order within five years and he was able to stretch another ten years past that to spend with his family. He was always quick with a smile or a story from the past and really enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Rosemary, daughter Mary Leal, son Joe A Maciel and his wife Jena, and son John A Maciel and his wife Mary. He has 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his brother Tony G Maciel and his wife Mary, and sister Lena Oliveira. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Mary Barreto, and brother Manuel G Maciel.

A rosary will be held Wednesday, October 27 at Our Lady of Fatima church at 6:30 p.m. and a funeral mass on Thursday, October 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the church with burial to follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Hanford. A public viewing will be at the church Wednesday, October 27 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.