Joseph A. Serrano, a retired truck driver who loved fishing, woodworking and dancing to Mexican music, died Thursday in Chico, Calif. He was 87.

Born in Guadalupe, Calif., Joe was the son of Eugenio and Todocia Serrano. He spent his early childhood in Canta Ranas, one of nine barrios that once lined the Rio Hondo River in El Monte, Calif. As the eldest boy, Joe helped his father irrigate alfalfa fields and pick turnips and radishes to sell at the farmer's market. He enjoyed playing baseball and football with his cousins and studying math in grammar school.

In the late 1930s, the family moved north to Gilroy. Joe fondly remembered traveling in the back of the pickup with the Lomelins, close friends of the family. He attended San Ysidro School, and after graduating from the eighth grade worked to help support his parents and siblings. At 17, he married Lupe Ayala of Gilroy.

An eye injury kept Joe from joining the military during World War II, so he moved the family to Richmond, Calif. to work in the shipyards. After the war, he and Lupe returned to Gilroy and in 1954 bought a house on Chestnut Street.

Joe made a living working with his hands, always striving to better himself and improve life for his family. As a young man, he dried fruit and irrigated crops. He later worked for Renz Construction Co., and for Moretti's Trucking Co. as a long-haul driver, carrying garlic and onions to El Centro, Calif. and Arizona.


In his last job, Joe drove a cement mixer for Central Concrete, laying the foundation for high-tech companies in Silicon Valley and upscale homes and mansions in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A member of Teamsters Union 287, he was a lifelong supporter of organized labor.

Joe ingrained in his children a strong work ethic, the importance of family, and pride in their Mexican-American heritage. During the 1950s and early 1960s, he and Lupe dressed up for dances at Wheeler Auditorium, and invited relatives and friends to their house to sing and dance to Mexican music. They took their children to Southern California, Arizona, Texas and Mexico to visit relatives and see the sights.

On weekends, Joe enjoyed backyard barbecues or playing softball at Mt. Madonna Park with his children and grandchildren. Win or lose, he loved his Giants and 49ers, as well as boxing, John Wayne movies and "Perry Mason." A self-taught man, Joe also enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles.

If he wasn't inside, Joe was in his woodworking shop or tending his baby roses. During retirement, he and Lupe drove their camper to nearby lakes in hopes that Joe could catch some fish. Though the fish usually disappointed him, Joe loved getting on a boat and feeling the warmth of the sun.

In March 1993, he and his wife repeated their vows at St. Mary's Parish for their 50th wedding anniversary. Lupe preceded Joe in death on Feb. 23, 2003, 11 days shy of their 60th anniversary.

Joe is survived by a brother, Floyd (Virginia) Serrano of Madera, Calif., five children: Hope (Roel) Olivares of Elk Grove, Calif., Joe Jr. (Pety) Serrano of Houston, Texas; Susan (Frank) Felice of Chico, Calif.; Barbara Serrano of Seattle, Wash.; and Jim (Tina) Serrano of Los Banos, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Roel Olivares Jr. of Sacramento, Calif.; Joelle Olivares Beane of Elk Grove, Calif.; Rene Olivares of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Joseph A. Serrano III, John E. Serrano and Jamie Serrano, all of Texas; Dina Felice Heaps of Chico, Calif.; Denise Felice Frazier of Manchester, Md.; and Elizabeth Serrano of Los Banos, Calif.; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Habing Family Funeral Home. Family and friends are also invited to a Mass celebration at 11:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Parish. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe's name to the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, at www.alz.org/norcal/.