Diogenes Dalere "Joe" Tolentino

Diogenes "Joe' Dalere Tolentino, (84), died peacefully at home on September 24th under the loving embrace of his daughter, Lilibeth, and the love of his life, Rita. Just finishing his last request of being shaved and cleaned by his daughter, he peacefully took his final breaths on this earth. In true 'Papa Joe' fashion, his transition from this phase of life to heavenly rest was quiet, austere and peaceful; clean shaven and ready to reunite with his father and mother, Ramon and Maura, and his late daughter, Juliet.
Papa Joe graced this world arriving on October 28, 1939 in Pasuquin, Illocos Norte, Philippines. He was the oldest of five siblings - Demetrio, Rogelio, Sesaile, and Geranimo. He attended Illocos Norte Trade School. Soon after he captured the attention of Rita Maluyo, when they began their love story of 66 years in earthly time, and love that continues to resonate through their children, survived by Elizabeth 'Lilibeth' and Rolando 'Rolly', and the grandchildren Anthony with his wife Marianne, Leann, Aaron, Ian, Allen, Brittany with her husband Chris, Shalaine and great- grandchildren Penelope and Amelia.
In 1969 he made the bold decision to move to the United States and take a chance in making a better life for his family. During his time with us, he gained the reputation of a hard, stern and feared man. But much like Clint Eastwood, the level of depth and tenderness resounds through his expression of love through hard work and dedication to family. His dedicated work saw his nights as a sentinel of Palms Liquor store, where the reputation of being tough and feared is an asset, to working his days at California Care where his coworkers relied on his steadfastness and meticulousness maintaining and repairing the facility.
Despite coarse hands from long hours of work, Papa had simple joys. From the meticulous care of his Cadillac, to maintaining the roses at the door stop of Anita Lane, polishing his clock, a day out fishing, to treating himself to a nice bowl of Thrifty's vanilla ice cream, to having a good cigarette smoke sitting on a wooden table under the back patio, or his appreciation for classic country listening to Hank Williams – he embodied the classic American dream.
And - most of all -joy and pride for the home he made for his family with his loving wife Rita, the perfect match and perfect foil. To his stillness with her fervent energy. To his silent demeanor to her loquaciousness. As she pulled him to join her to dance and with his reluctance to concede, as hands clasped and as they sway – you can see his very subtle smile of joy every single time. And through hardship and trials as families do endure, with their hands clasped, in such simplicity and love so pure, have always been steadfast, never flinching, always forgiving. This is the legacy of Papa Joe.