Joe Goto

Joe Goto
December 21, 1927 -
November 7, 2013
Resident of Richmond
Joe Goto passed away November 7, 2013 surrounded by family and his Buddhist clergy. Joe was born December 21, 1927 in San Jose California to Issei parents. He grew up in Mission San Jose and attended school there through junior high school until the start of WWII. At that time, his family was sent to relocation camps at Tanforan, then Topaz, Utah where Joe attended high school. After being released just before graduation, he studied to get his diploma and was drafted into the army. Joe did his service at Fort Bliss, Texas and after being discharged moved to Richmond, California where he met Grace Yatabe. They were married in March, 1953.
Joe worked as a landscaper and tree trimmer for Harry's Nursery, then the City of Berkeley. He was an avid fisherman, an enthusiastic bowler, and a coin collector. Joe vacationed in many countries in 4 continents and visited many states including a road trip cross country with 2 grandsons. At one point, he was close to attaining his pilot's license. Joe was very active at the Higashi Honganji Temple in Berkeley.
Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Grace, daughter Jacki Wolf (Steven), son Greg (Sakiko), sister Miyo Uyemoto, twin brother George (Midori), and 4 grandchildren, Braden and Taylor (Wolf) and Rika and Stanley (Goto).
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 23rd at 2:00 at Berkeley Higashi Honganji Temple, 1524 Oregon St., Berkeley, 94703. The service will be followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, Joe would have liked donations to go to his church (address listed above).