Joseph Areias

Born: February 7, 1952, in Los Banos, California Died: September 23, 2008, in Los Banos, California Joseph attended Our Lady of Fatima in Los Banos and Sacred Heart in Dos Palos. He graduated from Dos Palos High School in 1970. He married his high school sweetheart, Gail Conway in 1972, and together they had two children, Shannon and Steven. He worked in the dairy and farming business. He worked for Meza Brothers and then Kings County Truck Lines. He later worked for Con Agra in Kerman, and then was the General Manager for West Valley Hulling for the past six years. He attended Cal Poly and Stanislaus State College where he earned his degree in business. He was very active in Future Farmers of America. He played football for Dos Palos High School, and was active in drama. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Joseph was a great and vivid storyteller and loved to have an audience. He was a NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching football - attending many super bowl parties. He loved riding his motorcycle with his biker buddies. Joseph lived a full life in his steady, outgoing, sociable way. His courage, determination, and strength were amazing to us all. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Christopher Perkins and his staff at California Oncology of the Central Valley as well as the staff at Los Banos Memorial Hospital for the compassionate care given to Joseph. Special thanks must be given to Billy Cantrell and Kelly Rudolph. He is survived by his daughter, Shannon Areias of Sunnyvale and her fiancé, Danny Varty; his son, Steven Areias of Fresno; his parents, Joe and Tina Areias of Los Banos; his sister, Joan Lopez of Madera, and her two children, Adam and Aaron; his sister, Celeste Catalli of Redwood City, and her two children, Alison and Bryan; his brother, Mike Areias and his wife Lisa, and their two children, Luke and Logan. In addition, Joseph is survived by numerous friends and extended family members. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel in Los Banos on Friday, October 3, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. A Mass will be held at Saint Joseph's Church in Los Banos on Friday, October 3, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at Cantrell's Party Barn, 16419 N. Bryant Road, Dos Palos, on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. The family requests that remembrances be made to Los Banos Memorial Hospital, 520 W. 'I' Street, Los Banos, Ca., 93635 or to Madera Community Hospital, 1250 E. Almond Avenue, Madera, Ca., 93637. WHITEHURST FUNERAL CHAPELS P.O. Box 2217 Los Banos, Ca. (209)826-4242