A Celebration of Life for Joseph Lawrence Bettencourt will be held on January 18, 2020 at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy, CA at 1:30 PM.

Joe passed away January 9, 2020.  He lived his life with great gusto and made friends with most everyone he met. He learned a strong work ethic as a young man milking cows on the dairy, working at Ranch Milk, hauling hay, driving truck and dispatching for WTI, AAA Transport, and Pacific Interlock Paving. He was a good son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor, and friend to all.

Joe moved to the U.S. from the Azores at the age of five, leaving behind his beloved grandmother and began his journey to become the character he was. He learned to make school friends by cutting up and making others laugh. He had a special way of making everyone feel loved and enjoyed the company of his family, friends, and coworkers. Watching classic westerns on tv, enjoying football, and coffee time with buddies at the Donut House, working on his '57 Chevy Impala and meeting friends at car shows gave him such great pleasure.

Spending time with his "special girl" Sadie and talking with Landon and Wyatt about soccer and football games was Papa Joey's delight. He brought donuts every weekend, bought a basketball stand and ball, a soccer ball, softball gloves and balls, put the kids up on Joey's motorcycles for fun, took grandsons to the barber shop for haircuts and suckers. He supported his kids by selling Girl Scout cookies, gave rides to early morning swim practice, attending all sports events, and tried to keep Analisa, Melissa, Staci, and Joey on the right path throughout their lives.

Joe will be missed by brothers Manuel, John, sisters Maria, Theresa and their spouses. He enjoyed the company of his nieces, nephews, cousin Les, and grandchildren as well.  His wife Debbie will miss his companionship, support and humor. He appreciated and loved you all!