Joel B. Fallon

1931 - 2016

June 16, 1931 - Aug. 11, 2016

Joel B. Fallon, 85, of Benicia passed away Thursday in a local hospital following a battle with cancer. He was a 4th generation San Franciscan and has called Benicia his home since 1993.

He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco and the University of the Philippines. Joel worked as an intelligence officer for the United States Army for more than 21 years and was a former member of the Joints Chief of Staff.

Joel was the first Poet Laureate of Benicia; former Vice President of Arts Benicia; a member of Friends of the Library and practiced Tai-Chi three times a week for more than 10 years. He taught English as a second language and was a mentor to Chinese speaking adults; he taught chess for more than five years at the Benicia Youth Center; he enjoyed sailing the waters of the Bay Area and was a Russian and Chinese linguist. During the summer between his junior and senior years in high school Joel worked as a merchant seaman.

Joel is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 65 years; children, Mary C. (Lance) Berquist, Michael (Beth) Fallon, Christopher (Rosa) Fallon, D'Arcy Fallon and Brian Fallon; eight grandchildren, a great grandchild on the way, and his pets, Ulysses and Angel.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date in December, details to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Arts Benicia or any other charitable organization of one's choice. And if that gesture seems to formal, perhaps, in the spirit of Joel Fallon, who cared so much about the strangers and outsiders in our midst, reach out to somebody in your community who needs help of any kind. The family also would like to thank the staff at Kaiser Hospital in Walnut Creek and Vallejo, especially Dr. Sen Shaw. Arrangements are under the direction of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel. Please visit the online tribute at www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com. Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 745-3130.