Joseph “Joe” Michael Hester ’60 passed away May 29, 2012. Born in Oakland, Calif., he attended Catholic schools in the Bay Area, including Santa Clara University, before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Upon his return he transitioned straight into his life’s work at McGuire and Hester in Oakland. His career spanned more than 50 years. He was so very proud of all things Catholic, Irish, and Oakland and was passionate about his family, his work, and was committed to education. He was especially generous in support of Catholic education and headed many projects at Bishop O’Dowd, St. Elizabeth, and St. Joe’s High Schools.

He followed his father’s footsteps in generous support of St. Vincent De Paul and at Holy Names University. As life brought him towards his life dream of a family ranch, which he found in Stonyford CA in 1998, his generosity extended north through organizations and individuals he touched.

He is survived by the love of his life, Mary, with whom he shared so close to 50 years of marriage, his brother Fr. John Hester and sister Sr. Maureen Hester, SNJM, and his children Mike (Janice), Pegge (Mike) Deely, Colleen (Paul) Ustach, Kevin (Amy) Hester, John, Moira, Tim, Annie, Matt, Rich and Allen. "Jo-Jo" to his grandchildren Nichola, Tyler, Molly, and Ben Hester; Tina, Jack, Pat, Claire, and Seamus Deely; Kaz, Cy, Stan, and Mary Ustach; and Claudia and Ella Hester. Joe also leaves many nieces and nephews and countless cousins both in the States and Ireland.