Obituary of Joseph Tavares

Joseph Tavares ~ 93 Vancouver, Washington October 18, 1922 ~ January 14, 2016 Joseph Tavares, a great man and an awesome father has left us at the age of 93. He died Thursday, January 14, 2016 in Vancouver, WA. He was born October 18, 1922 to Emanuel and Wilhelmina (Pina)Tavares in Providence, RI, the fourth of eight children. A member of WWII’s “Greatest Generation” he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 20, serving in Europe where he earned a purple heart and a bronze star medal. When he came home he met and married the love of his life, Lillian Lawson. For their honeymoon in 1947, they came to Vancouver and decided to stay and raise their family. Joseph worked heavy construction for Mercer Steel as a superintendent until he retired in 1970. He then became a member and the club manager of the American Legion Post #14 working until 1987. He was also instrumental in beginning the 40et8 Bingo parlor in downtown Vancouver. He was a very loving and generous man. Be it family or friend, he was always there to help. After retiring his hobbies were golfing, playing cards and visiting casinos. He also enjoyed cooking and was a man who loved food and especially sweets. He always made sure there was candy in the house for the grandkids and of course for himself. He had a signature, gleeful laugh that brought joy to everyone around him. He will be sorely missed. Joseph is survived by his three children, Sandra Gretsch of Vancouver, David (wife Vicki) Tavares of Federal Way, WA and Joseph Tavares (aka Little Joe) of Vancouver; four grandchildren, Gina Gretsch, Melissa Tavares, Eric Tavares and Kevin Tavares; three great-grandchildren, Savannah Schroder, Isaiah Payne and Brooklyn Payne; and three siblings, Eleanor Gonsalves, Ronald Tavares and Roy Tavares. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lillian.