Jose Armando "Joe" Casanova

1944 - 2022

Jose Armando Casanova
October 15, 1944 ~ June 28, 2022
Resident of San Jose
Jose ("Joe") Armando Casanova passed away at the age of 77 on June 28, 2022, with his two daughters holding his hands at his bedside. He battled cancer and its effects with everything he had for over a decade. Words cannot express how much he will be missed along with the wealth of knowledge and creativity that he possessed.
Joe was born on October 15, 1944, in Eagle Pass, Texas to his loving and hardworking Spanish-speaking parents, José and Rita Casanova. As their only child, he was deeply cherished. He traveled with his family throughout California as they worked in the fields until settling in San Jose where he lived the remainder of his life. Determined and hardworking, he learned English as a second language. He attended and played football at Lincoln High School and San Jose City College.
His love for cars started in his early teens when he was hanging out and working at the neighborhood car lots and automotive repair shops. He earned an apprenticeship at Sunnyvale British Motors and worked his way up to Manager at Los Gatos British Motors. He started building dragsters and chassis, ultimately starting his own successful automotive repair business.
Joe expanded his fabrication skills by doing everything from designing and building custom trailers to designing custom parts for hot rods and race cars, which ultimately became his true passion. He shared his talent and skills to help others and impart his unique knowledge to friends. During the last 12 years, he enjoyed being a member of the Bay Area Roadsters where he built great friendships. The environment he created throughout his life allowed him to do what he always loved. His knowledge, friendship and smile will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his two daughters Dina and Jamie Casanova, their mother Joann Williams, his sons-in-law David Moore and Robert Meriles, his two granddaughters Julia and Carly Casanova-Moore, his partner Joana Flood, her children Robbie Flood, Barbara Lentz and grandson Ben Lentz.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Roses at Oak Hill Funeral Home, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Sacred Heart Community Services to honor our father's desire to help provide food, shelter and services to those in need.


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