G. Joseph Bertain Jr.

G. Joseph Bertain Jr. Surrounded by his family, G. Joseph Bertain, Jr passed way on November 16, 2012 after a long illness. Although he lived with Alzheimers for over ten years, Joe faced his illness with the same courage and optimistic spirit with which he lived his life. Joe was born in Scotia, California, on March 9, 1929, the eldest of ten children of George J. Bertain, Sr. and Ellen Canty Bertain and was extremely proud of his Irish and French/Italian grandparents who were Humboldt County pioneers in the late 1800's. He attended Scotia Elementary and graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento in 1947 where he served as Student Body President and played on the Varsity Football team. In 1951, he graduated from Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California where he was Student Body President. One of five siblings to graduate from Saint Mary's, Joe served as a member of the Board of Regents of the College for 20 years. Joe earned his law degree from The Catholic University of America where he was Editor-in-Chief to The Law Review. Joe was a practicing attorney for over 45 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District and in private practice. Joe served the legal profession through his participation in many associations and committees including as Chairman of the Federal Bar Association (San Francisco Chapter) and with the Saint Thomas More Society of San Francisco. Joe also served as Special Advisor to Governor Ronald Reagan and Governor George Deukmejian on Judicial Selection and a Member of the Advisory COmmittee to U.S. Senator S.I. Hayakawa on nominations of U.S. Attorneys and U.S. District Court judges. Despite a busy legal career, Joe's Catholic faith inspired his charitable spirit and community involvement and was evidenced by his many activities; including as a member of The Order of Malta, the Boards of Directors of Hanna Boys Center and Little Sisters of the Poor, Rotary Club, The Olympic Club, The Commonwealth Club, and Knights of Columbus. In 1957, Joe married the love of his life, Bernardine Joy Galli. Joe is survived by his son, Joseph F. Bertain, Joe's wife, Lisa Bertain, and his three beloved grandchildren Christen, Caroline and Robert. Joe is also survived by his brothers Tom (Linda), Len (Mary) and Bill Rebecca) and sisters Eleanor Roche (Hugo), Rosemary Allen (Doug) and Colette Daggett (Larry). He was preceded in death by his brother Richard and his sisters Suzanne Helene and Juliette Marie. Survivors include 14 nephews and 15 nieces, as well as Humboldt County first cousins Virginia Cloney Del Grande and Donna Bertain Mendes and out of County first cousins: Mary Bertain Bickford, Laddie Bertain, Haley Bertain, Charlotte Bertain Perry, Margaret Bertain Daly, Sister Ann Bertain, Sidney Bertain Ryder, Peter Bertain, Donald Schneider, Barbara Canty Wheeler, Patricia Canty Zavidil, Joan Canty Smith, James Canty, and Robert Canty. He is also survived by over 100 cousins and grand nieces and nephews. The Rosary will be at McAvoy and O'Hara, San Francisco, on November 23, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 5:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be November 24, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Cecelia's Church in San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to the Knights of Malta, the Alzheimer's Association, or the charity of your choice. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.