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BORN
1945
DIED
2019
Joseph Semorad Obituary
August 15, 1945 - July 29, 2019
San Jose
Joe passed away at home on July 29, 2019 after a protracted battle with cancer. Joe was born in New Jersey on August 15, 1945 to Joseph and Myrtle Semorad. Joe took a road trip with his high school/college buddies to visit California in 1974 and decided to stay making San Jose, CA his home. Joe started his career as a draftsman with Alco Paramont, he eventually transferred into Procurement and became a buyer, vendor liaison and warehouse manager. As he gained experience in the communications contracting field he took a position with a startup called RFI Electronics, then another startup called Ceitronics and finished his 44 year career with yet another startup called Integrated Communication Systems.
Joe was known for his pleasant, gracious and engaging personality, his love for history and his ability to tell antidotal stories that shed wisdom on current events and situations. Joe was also a prolific hobbyist and artist. He had the ability to see shapes, shades, color and depth in things that most do not and he could transfer this vision into multiple art forms including bronze sculptures, photography, Dot Art (Lithography), carving Decoy Ducks, carving a series of inlaid wood American Indian Tomahawks, and building scaled replicas of Caterpillar tractors and Peterbilt Truck/Trailers out of wood. He was also a very accomplished furniture maker. His art work has been displayed and sold in numerous prestigious galleries around Central California.
Joe is survived by his family, wife Diane (Cote') Semorad, daughter Jessica Fischer (Patrick Wiles) both of San Jose and sister Lynn Rotondo, nieces Lynn Marie Feoranz and Lisa Marie Arnone of New Jersey.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Joseph's life at Flights Restaurant 165 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gatos, CA on Thursday October 10th at 6:30 PM. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to: [email protected].
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1 Entry
September 29, 2019
I first met Joe back in 1987 when I took a job with Ceitronics as an installer and field technician. Joe and his friend and co-worker Felton (RIP) worked in the purchasing department. I did not know anyone in the area as I had just moved to the Bay Area from Santa Barbara County after completing one hitch in the Coast Guard. Both Joe and Felton were very friendly to me and welcomed me in to the company and their homes. In 1998 my life changed and I ended up renting a room from Felton. I worked closely with Joe and Felton and ended up becoming very close friends with both of them. I spent much of my off work time with Joe and Felton. Joe was always creating something and I always looked forward to going to his home and seeing what he was working on. Joe had so much talent! He could draw, carve or build anything he put his mind to.
I left Ceitronics in 1991 when I secured a job with the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District and as an unforeseen consequence I ended up spending less and less time with Joe and Felton. It came as a great shock to us when on May 6th 2004 Felton unexpectedly passed away. My wife Tammy gave birth to our first son in late 2002 and the three of us attended Felton's Memorial Service together. I felt guilty at Felton's passing as I felt I had let a dear friend down by not staying in touch with him as much as I should have.
My family did get together with Joe and Diane a few times afterwards having dinner at each other's homes and again enjoying each other's company like we had in the past. Life went on and now for the second time I feel guilt and remorse for letting my friends Joe and Diane down by neglecting our friendship and not staying in touch with them.
Diane, I am at a loss for words in trying to convey to you how sad I am at your loss. Joe was such a great soul who will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him and shared his friendship. No one will miss him more than you will, but no one knew him or enjoyed his presence as much as you either.
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