With sadness, we regretfully announce the death of our dad, Joseph “Les” Miranda of Rio Dell. He passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside on July 17, 2021 at the age of 87.

Les was born in Ferndale on April 4, 1934 and was raised in Humboldt County. He enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he met and married Lorraine Gomes in 1955. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, he moved back to Humboldt County where he resided in Rio Dell/Scotia and raised three daughters.

Les was a proud disabled Navy Veteran and a devoted Catholic at St Patrick’s Church in Scotia. Les enjoyed volunteering at the Senior Center in Rio Dell and the local food banks. He was proud of his Portuguese heritage and enjoyed working at the Portuguese celebrations in Ferndale.

Les was blessed with a green thumb. He was well known for his fruit trees and vegetable garden, which he proudly shared with family and friends. He also enjoyed many activities such as deer hunting, fishing, and traveling across the United States. One of his fondest memories was time he spent in Alaska fishing for salmon.

Les is survived by his three daughters – Debbie Espinola, Los Banos, Calif,; Laureen O’Connell (Roger) Danville, Calif.; Marie Miranda, San Ramon, Calif. He is also survived by his grandchildren Krisena, Keena, Michelle, and Joseph; and great-grandchildren, Hailey, Kennedy, Megan, Addison, Destiny, and Danielle.

Les is preceded in death by Lorraine Miranda and son-in-law Mike Espinola.

Viewing will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, August 2, 2021 followed by the recitation of the rosary at 6 p.m. at Gobles Fortuna Mortuary. Mass will be held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Fortuna at 2 p.m. on August 3, 2021.

Les will be laid to rest at San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella on Friday August 6, 2021 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV.Org) Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Falls Court, Eureka, CA 95503 or American Cancer Society, 317 I St. Eureka, CA 95501

The family would like to thank Redwood Memorial Hospital, Veterans Clinic in Eureka and Hospice of Humboldt County for the wonderful care provided to our dad. Special thanks to Rebecca Morris from VA in Eureka and his care provider Cindy.

###