Joseph “Joe” Lewis Toste was born to Mary and Joseph F. Toste at their family home in Arcata on May 3, 1933. He passed away and went to his Lord on August 9, 2022, at the age of 89, with his wife and children by his side. Joe spent his childhood in Arcata, working on the dairy and attending school there. He never lost his fondness for the dairy industry. As a young adult, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and later his family enjoyed hearing tales of his travels and experiences in the military. This is where Joe learned to cook. His Sunday morning hotcakes were the best! After many years of hard work, Joe retired from the lumber industry where he was known as a skillful forklift operator.

Joe met his wife of 64 beautiful years, Anna Godinho, at a Portuguese Holy Spirit Festa in Ferndale. They were married in 1958 and made Ferndale their home. It was a love of a lifetime.

Joe is survived by his wife, Anna Godinho Toste, his children: daughter Jo Ann Toste (Mark Reich), sons Tim Toste (Jody), Tom Toste, Joel Toste (Raenel), and his daughter Jennifer Toste; grandchildren: Nichole Myers (Lee), Jeremy Toste, Anthony Toste, Tyton Toste, James Toste, Janna Johnson (Devin), and Max Toste. Joe was blessed with one great-grandchild, Manny Myers. He is also survived by his brother Tony Tostie and his sister Mary Ann Norris as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Joe’s parents, his brothers Johnny and Lewis, and his sister Virginia preceded him death.

One of Joe’s favorite pastimes was dancing — oh, how he loved to dance! Joe and Anna belonged to Ferndale’s Jolly Time Dance club, and he was a member of the Moose Lodge where they enjoyed attending regular dance nights. Along with their close circle of friends, he and Anna visited many different dance venues around the county in their day. Joe and Anna could clear a dance floor! He loved good country western music and could whistle a tune like no other.

At a young age, Joe learned to “call” (in Portuguese!) two Azorean folk dances — the Chamarrita and the Fado. In the mid-1970s, Joe was pleased to dedicate time giving dance lessons in preparation for the 50th anniversary of Ferndale’s Portuguese Hall. Young and old alike had lots of fun learning and understanding the words and the steps (and missteps!) of the traditional dances. He was often thanked by local first-generation Portuguese immigrants for breathing new life into these old dances. Joe was proud of his Portuguese heritage and enjoyed speaking the language with others who knew it. He was a member of the Portuguese lodges I.D.E.S., Luso-American, and S.E.S.

More than anything, Joe was a wonderful family man. Kind, witty, and patient, Joe loved his family and genuinely enjoyed every moment spent with the grandchildren. If there was a project to be done or a grandchild who needed care, he was quick to pitch in and help. Joe taught all of his children to drive which is a testament to his patience and forgiving nature. He loved a good game of Pedro or double-deck Pinochle, and all the better if dessert was part of the plan. While any sweets would do, he had a particular fondness for cookies, pineapple upside-down cake and Tootsie Pops.

In addition to all he did for his family, Joe was happy to lend a hand to those who needed it, including regularly volunteering at the Ferndale Senior Center in years past. Joe gave unselfishly to those around him, friends and family alike. He valued hard work and kindness towards others. To say that he will be missed is an understatement, but we are forever grateful to have had him in our lives.

The family would like to thank Dr. Baird, staff of Redwood Memorial Hospital, the Eureka Veterans Clinic, and Hospice of Humboldt for their care and for their assistance in getting Joe home from the hospital to be with his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Humboldt, the Church of the Assumption (Ferndale), Humboldt Senior Resource Center, or to your favorite charity.

A funeral mass will take place Friday, August 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption, 546 Berding St, Ferndale.

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The obituary above was submitted by Joe Toste’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.