Jose Guadaloupe Avila Jr

Jose G. “Joe” Avila Jr. 73, died on July 26, 2018 at Seaside Rehab and Health Care in Portland,

ME. after a long illness and while in Hospice Care.

He was born in McAllen, TX, son of Josefina Gonzalez and Jose G. Avila. He grew up in

Defiance OH where he co-captained the DHS Bulldog football team which won the state

championship in 1962 and named to the All-Ohio Second Team. He was a member of the

National Honor Society, and president of the 1963 senior class. Recently he was honored as

“Outstanding Defensive Player” in the DHS Hall of Fame.

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He attended University of Toledo on a full athletic scholarship and was active in the ROTC

program, graduating in 1967 with a BS degree in Industrial Engineering.

Upon graduation he joined the US Air Force and was based in Panama City, FL and had the

rank of staff sergeant upon discharge.

He was employed by Libby Owens in Perrysburg OH and later moved to McLouth Steel working

first in Monroe, MI and later transferred to Ironton OH. In his later years he lived in McAllen TX,

where he developed and taught a unique system of learning ESL for adult learners. In McAllen

TX he worked with the local schools, organizing events to encourage student and family

participation. San Antonio was home until he moved to Maine in 2013 as his health declined.

HIs passions included fishing, playing golf and creating both vegetable and flower gardens. He

was constantly involved in home improvement projects, an avid reader and wonderful story

teller, above all he was an excellent dancer. Joe valued family life and was at his best cooking

at all family celebrations. He excelled in technical writing and wrote poetry for friends and family.

He was predeceased by his mother, Josefina G Hernandez, step-father, Jose Angel Hernandez

and father Jose G Avila. He is survived by his son, Jose G. Avila III and his wife Tina and his

grandson, Kane Avila of Malabar FL., his siblings, Maria Oralia Ruiz of Findlay OH, Imelda

Schaefer of Portland ME, Hilda Hernandez of Portland ME Homero Hernandez of Las Vegas NV and Linda Donahue of Windham ME.

The family extends their deep appreciation to the VA Maine Health Care system and staff as

well as to the Beacon Hospice team for their help in his care.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by A.T.Hutchins Funeral Home.

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