Joseph Thomas Celentano

Joseph Thomas Celentano

July 27, 1940 - September 3, 2023

Joseph Thomas Celentano (aka JoJo) was born in San Pedro, California, on July 27, 1940 (shares birthdate with Bugs Bunny), to Joseph Celentano and Florence McEachin-Celentano.

Joseph graduated from Mary Star of the Sea Elementary and High School, San Pedro (Class of 1958). While in high school, Joseph was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, San Pedro Troop 207, and a member of the Civil Air Patrol, Long Beach. He received his FCC amateur radio license (K6LLD) in 1957.

He graduated from National Technical School of Electronics, Los Angeles and from Grantham School of Electronics in Hollywood. He attended Los Angeles Harbor College (Business Administration) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA-Business Administration).

His early employment included Douglas Aircraft Company, El Segundo, where he was assigned to the Douglas/U.S. Navy F4-D Skyway Fighter/Interceptor Jet, Aircraft Seat-Ejection Test Unit. He worked out of the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California, as an electronics technician. Other early employment included: Todd Shipyard, Bethlehem Shipyard, Martin Ship Service Company (Electrician); Latham & Watkins, Attorneys-at-Law (Law Clerk); and Bissett-Berman Corp (Facilities Manager 1964 - 1970).

He married his lovely wife Nancy on November 23, 1963.

Between 1966 to 1970 he was a volunteer Reserve Police Officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. In 1970 he fulfilled his life's dream of becoming a full time Los Angeles Police Officer. Over the next 29 years he was assigned to: West LA Division; Jail Division; Communications Division; Van Nuys Division; City-wide Administrative Vice Division; Narcotics Division; and retired as a Detective II (Supervisor), specializing in Electronic and Technical Surveillance, from the Organized Crime and Vice Division in 1999.

After retirement he and Nancy moved to the Twain Harte area in Tuolumne County, California.

Over the years Joseph volunteered for many organizations including: volunteer docent at Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, Los Angeles, 1989 - 1999; volunteer docent at Tuolumne City Memorial Museum (President); volunteer docent at Tuolumne County Historical Society & Museum (President); volunteer at Tuolumne County Genealogy Society (President); volunteer for Mother Lode Black Heritage Foundation; and volunteer for Highway 108 Fire Safe Council.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy Kubelka-Celentano; Thomas (son) and Suzanne Celentano of Wylie, Texas; Johnathan (Son) and Jennifer Celentano of Spanish Springs, Nevada; granddaughters Lisanna Victor, Tiffani Stewart, and grandson Gregory Celentano; great grandchildren, James Stewart, Austin Stewart, and Sharlene Celentano; and his faithful companion "Gina" (German Shepherd).

Memorial remembrance donations to: Tuolumne County Genealogical Society, Sonora, CA. Joseph requested no funeral services. He was interred at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery in Reno, Nevada.

Obituary written by Joseph Celentano before his death.