Joe Amaral

Long time Watsonville resident, Joe Amaral, passed away peacefully at home on November 12, 2022.

He was born to Joseph and Jessie Amaral February on 11, 1936, on the family farm near King City, California.

At the age of five, he moved with his mother and two sisters to San Francisco. He attended schools in the City but worked with his father on the farm during the summers. He graduated from King City High School in 1953. After a stint in the Army, Joe completed a solo bicycle trip from California to New Hampshire, where he met many Portuguese relatives. That trip created lasting memories, which he spoke of for the rest of his life.

Joe graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Biology and returned to the King City area. There he met his future wife, Jane, who was teaching in Greenfield. They were married in August 1965 and moved to Aptos in 1969. They bought a farm outside Watsonville, where they raised their two children, Nicole and John.

While attending San Jose State, Joe took up pottery, which became a life-long passion. He set up a studio in the barn and continued creating art into his eighties. After many years, he sold his farmland in King City and purchased commercial property in Santa Cruz. In his later years, he spent much time working on that property, and truly enjoyed the friendships he developed with his tenants.

Joe walked his own path, often finding alternative solutions to life's problems and challenges, and truly exemplified Frank Sinatra's song 'I'll Do It My Way.' He was very capable in many areas and shared his wealth of knowledge freely. He enjoyed a challenging conversation and a good debate. Joe loved the natural world and the simple life-and that's the way he lived it.

He, and his happy smile, is, and will be, missed by all. He is survived by Jane, his wife of 57 years, daughter Nicole, son John and wife Christina, and grandchildren: Haley and Justin, Genyana and Isabelle. His sisters preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos, 10707 Soquel Dr. on February 11th at 2:00 p.m. Contributions may be made to Watsonville Wetlands or Aptos Community Gardens c/o Christ Lutheran Church. Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Published in The Pajaronian · January 12, 2023