Joseph Soares Batista

Joseph Soares Batista at 92 years of age, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 27, 2023 in Sacramento, California.

Joe was born on November 6, 1930 to Antonio Batista and Maria Soares in Santa Maria, Azores. Unfortunately, he lost his father at the young age of 5. His mother, brother Antonino Cabral (survived by wife Madalena), and two sisters Maria Angelina and Francelina predeceased Joe.

At 15 years of age, Joe moved to the island of Terceira, Azores to work at Lajes Airforce Base at the request of a base commander, with his godfather who took care of him while he was away from his family. With his lifelong ethic of hard work, and his good-natured personality, Joe quickly caught the attention of his superiors and rose from making beds for military personnel to management positions, ultimately becoming Operations Manager for the American Officer’s Club on the base.

Joe married Natal Pires in 1956, who he described as the most beautiful girl on the island, and they had four children. During his many years of civil service, he encountered many people who would encourage him to move to the United States to take advantage of the many opportunities afforded for his young family. In 1966, Joe and the family immigrated to Sacramento, California.  He worked at Mather Airforce Base in Rancho Cordova and eventually retired in 1991, after 46 years in federal service. He continued to work in various industries, including insurance, tax preparation, court translation, as well as document and immigration assistance for people in the community.

The weekly dinners with his brothers and sisters in-law, and cousins will endure as a testament to his deep love of family, and his love of cooking. Joe also became a proficient gardener and true to his frugality, decided to own chickens to offset the high price of eggs, which was a successful return on his investment. He also owned doves, birds, and fish with the goal of becoming a suburban farmer.  When not going on long walks, Joe loved watching and attending his beloved home town basketball team, Sacramento Kings.

Joe leaves behind his wife Natal, four children; Paul (Fernanda), Isabel, Duarte (Maria) and Theresa (Larry); and six grandchildren: Jessica, Erika, Brandon, Nicholas, Alexandra and Brian.  He enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren. He was extremely proud of all of them and all the love they unselfishly gave him.  He was loved by many nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. Joe will be greatly missed by all the people who are honored to have known him.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests that a donation in his name be made to the American Lung Association (lung.org) or Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).

Public services will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, with Visitation from 5pm to 8pm and Rosary at 6pm. Private funeral for family only on Friday, June 23, 2023.  Services will be held in the main chapel at Saint Mary’s Cemetery and Funeral Center, 6509 Fruitridge Rd, Sacramento, CA 95820.

On behalf of the Batista family, we express our deepest appreciation for all the love, support, condolences, and prayers.