Joey Patino Hernandez

Joey Patino Hernandez was born In Watsonville, Ca. on June 21, 1988, to Paz Smith- Marquez and Vincent Marquez. He was called back to his Ancestors in the early hours of January 9, 2024, at the young age of 35.
Joey loved the outdoors: He took every opportunity to go camping and enjoy nature. He was a leader and a natural athlete; in his youth, he would enjoy organizing football games with the kids of the neighborhood. At family gatherings, he'd often be seen with a basketball handing out letters for a game of "Horse" with a number of trick lay-ups as he was flying through the air like the wind was carrying him. He loved animals so much; his first pet was a dog he dragged by its hind legs from the neighbor's yard at the age of 4.
He spent time living under the direct care of his maternal grandmother, Bertha Smith until her untimely passing. After which, he and his younger siblings were then adopted by maternal Great Grandparents, Ponciano and Antonia Hernandez by the age of 8. Spending his entire youth at his childhood home, Joey was raised in a culturally Catholic home where he was baptized by his Godparents, Henry and Patricia Hernandez. He completed his First Communion and Confirmation under Uncle and Aunt, Edward Hernandez and Luana Hernandez. He also spent some time as an altar boy for St. Patrick's Church for a number of years until he graduated from Watsonville High School in 2006. He would attend the local Cabrillo College for a time before he found himself enrolled in Job Corps. In this Trade School Program, Joey would travel out of state to Utah, where he would study to become an Electrician.
Joey is greeted in the next plane by his childhood pup, Snowball, family dog, Lady, and family parrot, Tito. He is predeceased by adopted parents, Antonia and Ponciano Hernandez, grandparents, Jimmy and Bertha Smith. Sister, Esmeralda Morning Star. Joey will be lovingly remembered by his surviving biological mother Pas Smith- Marquez and stepfather, Vincent. His siblings, Jessie, Salvador, Jai and Xochitl. His nephew Poyweson and nieces, Kehlani Ne-let, Mila Ariah, and Leylana Rose.
Joey's family will be holding a Viewing for all friends and family wishing to pay their final respects, Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Mehl's Colonial Chapel, located at 222 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, CA. from 5 pm-9 pm.