Joseph Salas' Obituary
Joseph J. Salas, age 95, of Oshkosh, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Joe was born Jose de Jesus on August 19, 1921, in Purisima del Rincon, Guanajuato, Mexico, son of Leonor and Praxedis Salas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita, and two sisters, Socorro Cerda and Catherine Villareal.
Joe married Juanita on November 24, 1955, in Chicago. He is survived by a son, Joseph J. Salas of Oshkosh, a daughter, Janice A. Salas (Alberto M. Benitez) of Alexandria, Virginia, a brother, Louis Salas (Kathy) of Portage, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was a devoted husband and father. He liked to keep busy working in his garden and in the wood shop at the Senior Center. Joe’s favorite activity was round dancing with Juanita and they didn’t stop dancing until they were in their late 80s. He had been very active in Toastmasters for many years and received several awards in their Humorous Speech Contests. Joe was very proud to be a staunch, New Deal Democrat. After working for Universal Motors in Oshkosh for about 10 years, Joe ran his own export/import business. He also worked at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac; Fuller Brush and AO Smith in Milwaukee; and Sun Electric in Chicago.
Joe immigrated to the U.S. in 1926 with his family where they settled in Gary, Indiana. He graduated from Froebel High School in Gary in June of 1940. Joe was drafted into the Army in 1942 and was eager to serve after earlier being rejected by the Marine Corps because he was not a U.S. citizen. He served in both the American and European Theatre of Operations. After the war, Joe returned to Gary and worked, among other things, as an auto mechanic and at U.S. Steel. Because of the GI Bill, Joe was able to attend college. He studied at Purdue for two years and finished his studies at Mexico City College in Mexico City where he received a bachelor’s and master’s in economics and Spanish.
A gathering for family and friends will be held in the Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home, 865 S. Westhaven Drive in Oshkosh on Thursday, November 3, 2016, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at which time a service remembering Joe’s life will be held with the Rev Matt Simonar officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Joe’s name to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society or the charity of your choice.
Joe’s family would especially like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers with Valley VNA Senior Services, Home Care Assistance, and the Affinity Hospice staff who helped make the last several months of Joe’s life as comfortable as possible.
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