Joseph Bernal

Joseph Bernal 88, passed away peacefully in Petaluma on November 12, 2010 after a lengthy illness. He was born on December 12, 1921 in Mexico and immigrated to California as a young boy. He was raised in South San Francisco with his parents, Emilio and Lucia Bernal, and sisters, Socorro Ruiz (Jim) and Elisa. Joe was in the Army Air Corps and served as a corporal in Europe during WW II from 1942-1945 where he became a U.S. citizen. He was in the United States Air Force Reserve and served in Korea 1951-1952. He married Esther Navarro (deceased) in 1946 raising 4 children, Robert, Ann Johnson, Elizabeth Bennett, and Tom (deceased) on Lilac Lane in SSF while working for Western Electric/PT&T for more than 35 years. Joe then married Berta Moitoza Bernal in 1982 and moved to Sonoma. Joe was an active member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, VFW, American Legion, SIRS, the Telephone Pioneers, and All Souls Church YMI in SSF. Joe is survived by his wife, Berta, children Robert (Charlene), Ann, Elizabeth Bennett (Steve), Tony Moitoza (Lori) and John McLevin; grandchildren, Christine, Alicia and Brian Bernal, Ron Johnson, Jr., Andrew & Rachel Bennett, Justin, Brendon, and Courtney Bernal, Erin Long (Scott) and Jordan Moitoza, Robert and Alicia McLevin; great grandchildren Nikolas and Nathan Bernal, Aiden Venegas, and Gunner Long; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Friends are invited to attend a memorial mass at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 20th, 2010 at St. Leo's Catholic Church, 660 West Agua Caliente Road, Sonoma, CA 95476. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601; or to the Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran Street Petaluma, California 94952; or to the charity of the donor's choice. Inquiries can be made to DUGGAN'S MISSION CHAPEL, 525 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476 at (707) 996-3655 or www.duggansmissionchapel.com.