In the early morning hours of March 26, Joseph Cambra, 84, passed away peacefully in his home in Brentwood.

Born in Santa Ana to Jordão Cambra and Maria Gloria Toste Cambra on July 31, 1926, Joseph was the beloved husband of Barbara Russell-Cambra of Brentwood; cherished father (and father-in-law) of Fatima Carapinha (Jaime) of Aromas, Calif., Joseph M. Cambra (Fernanda) of Newark, Patricia Salas (Luis) of Sunnyvale, and Jeanette Anders (Ken) of San Francisco; stepfather of Brent Russell (Sue) of Petaluma; proud grandfather of 13 children and great-grandfather of three; brother of Mary Risso of Manteca and John Cambra of San Jose; uncle and friend to many. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Frank Cambra of Los Banos and Anthony Cambra of Fremont.

Joseph was known and loved by his family, friends and colleagues for his wonderful sense of humor, honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness and reliability. He enjoyed reading non-fiction, tinkering in his tool shed, listening to country music and watching his San Francisco 49ers. Prior to retiring in 1992, he faithfully served the Newark Unified School District for 23 years and Leslie Salt for eight years. He will be sorely missed.

Services were held through Fremont Chapel of the Roses. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Joseph’s name to Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund, 365 Lennon Lane, Suite 140, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.