Joseph (Joe) Frederick Malta, age 88 of Vacaville, passed away peacefully
November 1, 2025 with family and friends at his side.
Born June 12, 1937, in Ryde, California, Joe was the second of five children to
John and Minnie Malta. Joe’s adolescent years were spent in the Sacramento
Delta farming and going to school. Joe learned the value of hard work which
stayed with him throughout his lifetime. Joe married his high school
sweetheart, Bernice (Santos) in 1957. Joe and Bernice celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary in 2017 prior to Bernice’s passing. Joe was predeceased
by his parents and sister Rosemary (Vacaville). Joe settled in Suisun Valley
and Vacaville until his passing. In 2020, with room in his heart, Joe remarried
Paula Garcia of Vacaville. He was devoted to his new family along with his
two children and three grandchildren Joseph 67 (Bellingham), Greg 65 [Judy]
(Lompoc), Brett 34 [Milly] (San Luis Obispo), Delaney 28 (San Jose), and
Ethan 23 (Santa Barbara). Joe also dearly loved all of his nephews, nieces,
great nephews, and great nieces.
Joe was a journeyman carpenter and contractor in residential construction. He
finished his career as a small projects coordinator for Solano County. During
his working years, Joe maintained a small cherry orchard which occupied
much of his spare time. He would often, pick boxes of cherries which he
shared with family and friends. Joe would go on to enjoy 25 years of full
retirement!
Joe and Bernice sought out their family in Portugal. They made numerous
trips to the mainland and to the Azore Islands to reestablish family ties. These
family connections are still strong today thanks to their persistence to
understand where it all started.
Joe was a great handyman and could build or fix anything. When he wasn’t
working on his own projects, he would help others with their projects. Joe
loved spending time with family and friends. Joe was so kind and caring,
many considered him their “Uncle Joe” or “Dad”. He had a great sense of
humor and was always sharing a laugh and a smile. He lived a full life, filled
with love and kindness and will be dearly missed.
A celebration of life for Joe will be held on Monday, November 24th, 2025, at
12:00 pm at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main Street, Vacaville, CA. Reception
to follow at 2:00 pm at the Loyal Order of Moose, 6585 Gibson Canyon Road,
Vacaville.
