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Joe Grinsell, born on May 11, 1929, in Ferndale, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side Jan. 8, 2010. Joe was pre-deceased by his wife Blanche who passed away April 11, 2009.
Joe lived all of his life in Ferndale attending Ferndale Parochial school for eight years and then attending Ferndale High School from 1944 to 1947 where he was involved in FFA, ran track and played both football and basketball.
After high school, Joe attended U.C. Davis for two years and returned to Ferndale to marry his childhood friend Blanche Lanini in July of 1950. Joe and Blanche were married for 58 years and raised five children.
Joe was a volunteer fireman for engine company No. 2 for many years before moving out to his ranch on Centerville Road and subsequently served as fire commissioner for Ferndale Fire District for approximately 30 years.
He was involved in Native Sons and was a Little League Coach for many years, coaching the Ferndale Cardinals along with Jerry Becker. Joe worked for his uncles, Frank and Julius Moranda, for many years on their Centerville beach ranch dairying for them.
One of Joe's fondest memories was of his time spent working for Herb and Terry Russ on their Mayflower ranch, but he always dreamed of owning his own dairy. In the fall of 1963, his dream came true and Joe and Blanche bought their ranch on Centerville Road and the family moved to the country.
Joe was a family man first, who loved his family and extended family and everyone was welcome at the Grinsells. There were always extra places at the table and many a summer vacation, the Grinsell cousins joined the family for the summer to help with haying season and work on the dairy. Joe's greatest love was having a "houseful" of family and friends around him -- there was always a reason to celebrate and enjoy family.
Joe loved to play golf and golfed a couple of times a week, weather permitting, as he was a "fair weather" golfer as he got older. During the week of the Ferndale fair, you could find Joe at the racetrack. For almost 30 years he drove the starting gate at the horse races, making lifelong friends while doing so. Another of his passions was getting together with his buddies to make sausage whenever they needed an extra pair of hands to tie the sausage. He was always ready to lend a hand.
Joe is survived by his children, Terri (Grinsell) Harrington, husband, Ralph, Jim, wife Susan, Tim, wife, Denise, Julie (Grinsell) Cruz and husband Tim, Tom and wife Crystal. His 11 grandchildren Jenni (Harrington) Khoury, husband Mike, Jamie (Harrington) Sehon, husband, Josh, Travis Grinsell, wife Shannon, Tami (Grinsell) Toste, husband, Matt, Jerilyn Grinsell and Jodi Grinsell. Jed Cruz, wife Megan, Tyson Cruz, Jacob Cruz Mickey Torres and Tristan Morgan. Joe is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Madison and Macie Sehon, Ava and Emma Toste, Mikayla Grinsell and Kaden Cruz.
The family wants to extend a special thank you to dad's wonderful caregivers, Kim, Reina and Patti. We are so grateful for your love and support during dad's illness. To all of dad's wonderful friends and family who came to visit dad and lift his spirits, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your visits to him meant so much.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joe's name to Ferndale High Football program, as he was a faithful Ferndale Booster rarely missing a game until his illness.
At dad's request there will be no formal service. A celebration of life for both mom and dad will be held at a later date, date of which has not yet been set. Arrangements under the direction of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary.
