Joe Ducas Obituary
At the age of 17, Tony left Waco to serve in the United States Navy during the time of the Korean War. When he first tried to enlist, he didn't meet the minimum weight requirement. It took his mother 5 - 6 weeks to fatten him up with extra servings of bread and pasta. Tony served in the Navy for 5 years. In his words "I enlisted for 4 years but Harry S. Truman added a mandatory year".
Tony had saved enough money to help move his parents from Waco, Texas to Fresno, California in 1948. Stationed in San Diego, while on telephone duty together, he met Marvin Gross who also had family in Fresno. They would carpool together to Fresno while on leave. In 1951 on one of their trips home, Marvin suggested that Tony meet his cousin Joyce Schafer. The rest is history. Tony and Joyce were married on May 1, 1954. They welcomed son Mark in June 1955.
After his naval service, Tony worked at various companies including Hollenbeck and Bush, Merzon Industries, Inland Showcase and 33 years for Fresno Unified School District until he retired.
While working and after he retired, Tony was involved with several service clubs including East Fresno Kiwanis, Veterans of Foreign Wars Biola post #5845, Fresno Trade Club, Edison Social Club, Seniors In Retirement and the Biola Chamber of Commerce. Tony held various officer positions and worked on hundreds of committees.
Tony is survived by Joyce, his wife of 71 years, his son Mark (Marcie), grandsons Dominic (Valerie), Abram and Adam (Nicole), and great-grandchildren Emma and Dylan.
A graveside service to honor Tony is scheduled for Monday June 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Mountain View Cemetery, 1411 West Belmont Ave., Fresno, CA 93728.
Remembrances can be sent in Tony's honor to:
The American Heart Association or
The Alzheimer's Association
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Joe "Tony" Ducas, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
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1 Entry
American Heart Association
June 10, 2025
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660 W. Locust Ave. #101, Fresno, CA 93650
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