Ceremony

(As published in the Yakima Herald, August 25, 2012)
On Aug. 23, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, our beloved father Jose A Villanueva Sr. went peacefully to the arms of his Savior at Emerald Convalescent Center in Wapato, WA. He was born March 30, 1927, in Edinburg, Texas to Chrisoforo & Juana Cortez Villanueva. He spent his early years in Texas & Mexico and received his early education there. From 1945-1947 he served in the United States Army during WWII, being honorably discharged and was awarded the Army of Occupation medal. After returning to civilian life he met and married the love of his life Beatriz Farias in 1949, settling in Yakima County and finally making their home in Sunnyside WA. As a Latino pioneer of the lower Yakima valley, he engaged in many endeavors; he was a migrant farm worker, heavy construction worker, social worker and activist, and entrepreneur. He was best known as owner and operator of La Fiesta Restaurant in Sunnyside, WA. He was instrumental in establishing the first migrant farm worker early childhood daycare center, and a local food cooperative. He was one of the founding board members of Heritage University in Toppenish, WA, and served in support of many local service entities. Most importantly, alongside his wife Beatriz, he established Ministerio Nueva Vida servicing the Latino Catholic community. As part of this ministry they helped found the annual Congresso Charismatico held in Yakima, WA, and was recently honored for these founding efforts. He was a lifetime Catholic and on his 57th wedding anniversary received the Apostolic Blessing in 2006 from Pope Benedict XVI.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Beatriz and his 11 children. These are: Maria Sanchez (Armando), Gridley, CA, Mario (Jane), Olympia, Mary Jane Allen (Steve), Sunnyside, WA, Frank (Vena), Lacey, WA, Chris (Ester), Bellevue, WA, John (Marti), Grandview, WA, Suzi Carpino (Greg), Sunnyside, WA, Maria Nena Kresse, Kennewick, WA, Joe (Godeleva), Spanaway, WA, Lisa Erickson (Paul), Kennewick, WA, Maria Scudiero (Louis), Pullman, WA. He is also survived by 35 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters, his grandson Jose Armando Sanchez, and his son in law Steve Allen.

He was a man who loved his God and tried to share God's love with everyone he met. 

Aaron comes from a musical family.  It was a moving tribute to witness him playing with his father, a sister, an aunt, an uncle, two cousins, and his brother-in-law to honor Grandpa Jose.

Jose's presence was huge in the community.  Over 400 people attended the service, and seven priests officiated the ceremony, including his excellency, Bishop Sevilla.

The boys and I had a view of the ceremony from our perch in the crying room, but missed the stirring Requiem Mass and eulogy given by Bishop Sevilla.

My dear Raphael lifted his hands in prayer, following Bishop's example through the glass.  He's a deep old soul, our Raph.

After the ceremony Aaron wanted to show the boys the back room where he "gowned up" as an alter boy when he was a youth at St. Joseph's, the church where he was baptized as an infant and raised until he moved from Sunnyside.  It was very sentimental for him to take his own sons there.  Nothing had changed.  The cabinetry where he hung up his robes had the same varnish, and the same ancient aroma of sandalwood incense absorbed in the walls.

Grandpa was honored with a 21 Gun Salute, and carried by his sons, a grandson, and son-in-law.

Grandma Beatrice is hospitalized from her condition with Alzheimer's, and sadly was not capable of attending the graveside service.  It was gripping to see the oldest child of Bea and Jose's eleven children, Maria, honored with accepting his flag in her mother's place.