Joe Maciel passed away in his home on Dec. 16, 2017.

Joe was born in Arcata on Feb. 2, 1928 to Narcisse and Rose Maciel.  He attended school in Bayside, where he met Betty. Joe dropped out of school after 8th grade and went to work.  He worked on dairies helping his father at first, then other dairymen.  

Joe and Betty married on Jan. 26, 1946. Joe and Betty moved to Orland for a short time. After returning to Arcata,  Joe became a truck driver, driving for local companies such as Joe Costa, Joe Morton and Alto Bros, but Joe found a perfect match at Bracut working for Denny Hess.  Joe worked at Bracut until a stroke in December of 1989 forced him into retirement. 

After retiring he and Betty bought a travel trailer and traveled numerous places in the US, with friends and family.  They were also lucky enough to travel to Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico.  Some of their favorite trips were to Medford with friends and family members for a week every summer.  They always came back with great stories.

Joe always looked forward to Friday morning coffee with his friends, but as time went on more and more friends passed.  In the last few years Gary Batini would pick him up and they would go to Humboldt Fasteners and have coffee and doughnuts with Frank Caetano and his crew.  He treasured those moments.

Joe is survived by his loving wife Betty, children Larry (Norma), George, Shirley Bugenig, and Terri (Bob) Wallis, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. 

Joe and his infectious smile will be missed by many.

A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 20, 2018 at Azalea Hall in McKinleyville at 2 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joe Maciel’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.