Joseph Vincent McNair

March 15, 1919 - Sept. 7, 2008 Resident of Modesto Passed-away on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Modesto, CA after a lengthy and courageous battle with prostrate cancer. Joe was most recently a resident of Orangeburg Manor in Modesto, but had previously resided at Summerplace and Tahama Village in Stockton. He was retired from Pacific Bell with 38 years of service. Joe started as a telephone lineman and eventually became a deskman. He was very proud of his ability to troubleshoot and repair any and all line problems. Joe also had a passion for rescuing and nursing back to health sick and injured animals that he found when he worked outdoors. You never knew what creature would be in his lunch box when he returned home from work. Joe was born in San Francisco to Hattie Mendel and William F. McNair, but also lived in Oakland as a youth. He attended Castlemont High and graduated from Drew School in S.F. Joe joined the Marine Corps. and achieved the rank of Sergeant-Major. He was a veteran of WWll and was injured twice while serving for his country. He was a talented amateur boxer and the winner of a Golden Gloves title. Joe met and married Catharine Lowry and started a family in San Francisco before moving to Hayward, where he remained until close to retirement. He attended St. Bede's Church in Hayward and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Joe took an active role in the Telephone Pioneers, and most recently was a member of the San Joaquin STARS, a citizen patrol that assists the Sheriff's Dept. with community outreach. Joe had many interests, including fishing, eating sushi, making his own greeting cards and caring for his beloved pet turtle. Most of all, he loved his family and friends. Joe was a colorful, passionate person who remained outspoken in his beliefs, even if controversial, to the end. Even though Joe and Cathy were separated, they remained friends. She will miss him terribly. He is survived by his oldest brother William "Red" McNair of Lafayette, LA and Robert McNair (Rhonda) of Placerville, CA. He also leaves his beloved children, Stephanie Falcon (Bud Goodman) of Livermore, Kevin McNair (Cheryl Kojina) of Hayward and Denise McNair (Mike Foley) of Truckee; grandchildren, Vanessa, Jimmy, Chantel, Sierra, Briana (Tony), Alyssa; great-grandchildren, Mariah, Alexis, Nicholas, Ethan, Noah, Evan, Jaime, Analisa and Elise; his special companion, Mae Robinson of Escalon and her daughter, Bonnie Tabor; also, his best friend Frank Stewart (Elaine) of Modesto. A graveside Committal Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, September 15, 2008, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544. Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center FD1456 (510) 537-6600