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Joseph Filice Cala

1931 - 2020

Joseph Filice Cala obituary, 1931-2020, Resident Of Sunnyvale, CA

BORN

1931

DIED

2020

FUNERAL HOME

Lima & Campagna Sunnyvale Mortuary

1315 Hollenbeck Ave.

Sunnyvale, California

Joseph Cala Obituary

Joseph Filice Cala
August 13, 1931 - August 21, 2020
Resident of Sunnyvale
Joe was the son of Italian immigrants, Filomena and Salvatore Cala. They began farming in Sunnyvale in 1932 where they grew apricots, cherries, and prunes. After graduating from Santa Clara High School as class president in 1950, Joe and his brother, Vince, worked together overseeing the family ranch during the early years. Joe married Helen Lucich in 1952 and together they raised three children. In 1964, Joe and Vince began to develop the family properties. They first built the New Frontier Mobile Home Park, then the Cala Shopping Center, and in 1999, the family opened the Hilton Garden Inn in Mountain View.
Joe was a great outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing with family and friends. For 30 years he and his sons, Joe and Nick, were owners in the Mar Land and Cattle Duck Club where he enjoyed cooking dinners, playing cards, smoking a cigar, and duck hunting with the guys. Joe was a member of the Saratoga Optimist Club and a founding member and past president of both the Saratoga Sportsman's Club and the West Valley Sportsman's Club. He and Helen were also members of the Napredak Hall for 20 years. As a member of St. Cyprian's Parish, Joe and Vince cooked an annual spaghetti feed, serving up to 500 people with all proceeds being donated to the school's 8th grade class.
Joe had a bigger than life personality yet was honest, humble, and kind. These qualities defined his relationships with his family and friends and made an impact on everyone he met. When addressed as Mr. Cala, he always answered, "Just call me Joe".
Joe is survived by his wife Helen, of 68 years, his son Joe and daughter-in-law Lisa, son Nick and daughter-in-law Beth, grandchildren Christopher and Nickolas Carr, Alex Cala, Lauren and Lindsey Cala and many nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his brother Vince and his daughter Cynthia Cala Carr. Interment was private at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery on August 27th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to benefit BrainSupportNetwork.org to advance the study of MSA.


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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Sep. 4, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
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Helen

February 2, 2021

Joe Cala will always have a special place in my heart. Sympathies to the Cala family.

David Allen Rivas

September 7, 2020

Great family, great Man. I’m so sorry to hear this. Payers to the entire Cala family he will be dearly missed.❤

Mary Kay Wallace

September 5, 2020

My dear Uncle Joe, larger than life and loved by everyone. Warm, kind, funny and generous in spirit. He will be missed.

Bob & Vickie Francone

September 5, 2020

Uncle Joe was a great guy who everyone loved. Bob and I loved his passion for life. Uncle Joe will be deeply missed and all the fond memories will never be forgotten.

Darlene Fitzgerald

September 5, 2020

I really loved Cousin Joe. He was one of the nice guys. He will be missed.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Mary Wallace

Planted Trees

Lorretta (Ferreira) Woodard

September 4, 2020

My deepest condolences to Helen and her family in the loss of her husband . I graduated from SCH in 1950 with Joe and knew him as one of the kindest young men I had ever known, to you Helen I know your heart is breaking and I can relate to this because I lost my husband of 55 years 3 years ago today 9/4/17 you would remember me as Lorretta Ferreira , Richard Ferreira's sister from St. Clare's. You will be in my prayers everyday, stay strong for your family. Much love Lorretta (Ferreira) Woodard.

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Funeral services provided by:

Lima & Campagna Sunnyvale Mortuary

1315 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087

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