Deacon Joseph Pepe

Deacon Joseph Pepe went home to the Lord on Saturday, March 13, 2021.

Joseph Anthony Pepe was born April 19, 1930, in Newark, NJ, to Santos and Maria Pepe. He was the youngest of their 14 children, and was the last surviving child.

Joseph served in the United States Navy from 1948 until 1968. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired as a Petty Officer. Joseph became s a lay missionary for the Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, SD, and in 1993 was ordained a Deacon there.

He served in Sioux Falls and then transferred to Los Angeles, where he served at the Naval Base in Ventura County. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard became his spiritual home for life.

Deacon Pepe was a member of the Knights of Columbus Oxnard Council 750. He was an Honorary Life Time Member of 40 year to Oxnard Council, and a 4th degree Sir Knight/Past Faithful Navigator to Ventura Council 2498.

He was also a member of the Italian Catholic Federation and the Golden Classics at St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

Deacon Pepe is survived by his son Michael, daughters Elaine Pepe-Williams (Richard Williams), Maureen O’Hara, and Andrea Pepe, 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his spouse and best friend Dorothy Gertrude (Ronan) Pepe, son Brian Keith Pepe, son-in-law Sean Peter O’Hara, and grandson Padraic Michael Shea O’Hara.