Lasting Memories

Jose Diaz
March 20, 1926-Oct. 28, 2015
Menlo Park, California
Submitted by Irene Diaz Oncley

Jose Diaz, a resident of Menlo Park since 1957, died October 28, 2015, after a brief battle with mesothelioma. He was 89. Born in Almendral de la Cañada, Spain, on March 20, 1926, he came to Menlo Park in 1957 after marrying his childhood sweetheart , Pauline Diaz, who had come to California in 1948 with her family. They were married for 55 years until her death in 2011. They raised two children on Valparaiso Avenue, Irene Diaz Oncley of Long Beach, and Peter Diaz of Redwood City. Jose worked for 35 years as estate gardener for the Heller family of Atherton.

Upon retiring in 1992, he traveled to Spain several times, including in 2006 when he and Pauline celebrated their 50th anniversary by renewing vows in the same church where they married, officiated by Monsignor John Rodriguez of St. Denis in Menlo Park.

Jose was a loyal member of St. Denis Church, and a 49er fan. He loved to grow his vegetables and roses, and would often be seen taking his daily walk along Altschul and Alameda. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 am, Saturday, November 14, at St. Denis Church, 2250 Avy Ave., Menlo Park with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Sneider-Sullivan-O’Connell Funeral Home in San Mateo on the 13th, or donations to Pathways Hospice Foundation, 585 N. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085, 408-730-1200, www.pathwayshealth.org.