Joseph E. "Joe" Oliveira

Joseph Enos Oliveira, age 97, passed away in Roseburg on June 2, 2013. He was born in Patterson, CA in October 1915 to Antonio I. Oliveira and Maria E. Cardoza, both immigrants from Azores Island of Terceira. Joe learned to speak English by attending school in Patterson. He chose to work on the family dairy instead of going to high school. In 1938, he married Minnie Vieira from Manteca, CA. They had met at one of the many Portuguese festivals held in Central California.

During the early years of their marriage, Joe worked on dairy farms, sweet potato farms and for a local bakery. In the early 1940s they established their own small dairy farm on Sycamore Road in Patterson. In the late 1950s, they sold all the dairy cows. Joe eventually went to work for Foster Farms Creamery in Patterson, and later transferred to the cheese plant (renamed Luprino Foods) in Newman, CA. They moved their residence to Newman in 1961. He became a member of the Teamsters Union through his work. After several years, Joe took an early retirement from the cottage cheese plant and started his own yard maintenance business. Joe has been a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus, starting in Patterson and later in Newman.

In the late 1970s, Joe and Minnie decided to move to Philomath, OR, where they had their dream 5-acre ranch with lots of flowers, huge vegetable gardens, and wonderful neighbors. Joe quickly became an OSU Beaver fan and was an usher at football and basketball games.

In 2001, when Minnie's health was declining due to Alzheimer's, they moved with their son and daughter-in-law to Roseburg, OR. Joe quickly established another huge garden and kept the 1-acre backyard looking beautiful. When Minnie died in 2002, Joe started to regularly attend St. Joseph Catholic Church in Roseburg. He quickly established close friendships and Sunday lunch buddies. Three days per week, he attended lunches at the Sutherlin Senior Center, where he had a reserved chair and many wonderful friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brothers: Tony and Frank, sisters: Mary Souza and Gertrude Maloney, and his grandson Shawn. He is survived by his sister Mary Frances Tyler of Crows Landing, CA; his sons: Ed (Kimi) of Elk, CA, and Ron (Marilyn) of Roseburg, OR; granddaughters: Lisa Oliveira of Corona del Mar, CA and Marsi Hammersley of Riddle, OR; grandson Michael (Joey) of Mendocino, CA; 8 great grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Joe's passions in life were Minnie and his gardening. He loved joking with people and made friends wherever he went. He had a very strong work ethic and always wanted to be busy.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Roseburg, OR at noon on Friday, June 14. At 7pm Thursday, June 13, a Rosary service will be held at Wilson's Chapel of the Roses, 965 W. Harvard Ave., Roseburg, OR. In lieu of flowers, cards and masses, his family suggests donations, in Joe's memory, to the Sutherlin Senior Center, 202 W. Central Ave., Sutherlin, OR 97479.