Joseph Edward Berruezo (Dad, Papa and Abuelo) passed away peacefully in Flagstaff, Arizona, on April 11, 2008.

Joe was born on March 9, 1920 in Oakland, California. He had just celebrated his 88th birthday happily surrounded by family and friends. As a young man, he attended many elementary schools in Nevada and California. His parents, Eladio and Dominica Berruezo (from Spain) finally settled in Richmond, California in the early 1940's. He was extremely proud of his military duty and years in the Navy, followed by an apprenticeship at Mare Island as a blacksmith. He took a "risk" in 1955 and applied to teach at Berkeley High School in the General Shop education program, having no formal degree in teaching education and with no credentials. He was hired by the school district and never looked back at what he left behind. During the next two and a half decades, Joe (Dad) managed to earn his Bachelor's, Master's and ultimately his doctorate, while working full-time. He always credited his loving wife for taking care of the "kids" so that he could pursue his education. He later went on to become the Dean of Vocational-Technical Instruction at the College of Marin and very instrumental in many of the legislative changes in the area of vocational/technical instruction which occurred in California during his tenure as Dean. He met his bride, Fina Martinez at a Spanish picnic in 1946. They married one year later, on July 13, 1947.

His greatest memories were always those involving family and friends. Joe and Fina owned a cabin in Lake County, California, specifically to encourage summers spent together as a family and both he and Fina always welcomed all relatives and all of his children's many friends. He enjoyed all parties and family gatherings especially, had a ready smile, a keen wit and basked in the love of all who knew him.

Joe brought Fina "home" to Flagstaff in 2004, where he became her constant caretaker until she preceded him in death in June, 2007. He is survived by his three children, Emilie Berruezo Rodger, Ed Berruezo and Celeste Dwyer, his son-in-law, Chris Dwyer, and his four grandsons, Nick and Steve Berruezo, John Micheal and Joseph Rodger.

A celebration of Joe Berruezo's life will be held on Friday, April 18, at 2 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Dad be remembered through donations to Northland Hospice, the Alzheimer's Organization or a charity of your choice.