Joe Hinojosa Noriega

Almost 84 years of a life well-lived has ended for Joe Noriega, a third-generation proud Houstonian. Joe passed away at home early in the morning of February 12, 2012. Joe was born at home July 10, 1928, in San Antonio, TX. His parents were Jesus Noriega and Sofia Hinojosa Noriega.

Joe was raised by his grandmother, Ygnacia Noriega in the historic Second Ward, and he attended Rusk Elementary, Marshall MS, and the old Sam Houston HS downtown.

Returning home from the Army, Joe took night classes at Austin HS (where he took Math classes from eventual long-time principal, Ernie Baker), San Jacinto College and the University of Houston. Joe grew up attending the Rusk Settlement House, which became Ripley House and Neighborhood Centers, Inc., where he learned to box, dance and play the trumpet.

He joined the Army at age 17, immediately following WWII, and volunteered for the 82nd Airborne. He was stationed in Italy before returning stateside. After that, he joined the US Merchant Marine, and was a member of the Maritime Union. He saw the world, including the Caribbean, the Far East and the Middle East.

Between 1948 and 1950, Joe won the Houston Golden Gloves, AAU and Silver Gloves Featherweight Championships and competed at the Texas State Golden Gloves Tournament.

His ambition was to be an electrical engineer, but raising a family took precedence. Joe worked to raise his family, living in the Northside as a newlywed, Magnolia Park, and finally settling in the Golfcrest area and then Gulf Meadows, near Hobby Airport. He worked for years for Elliot Services as an equipment buyer.

He and his wife of 59 years, Tommie, attended ball games, recitals and school activities for his three children, David Joe Noriega (Lisa), Richard Joel Noriega (Melissa) and Carol Diane Noriega Castillo (Mark).

Joe knew how to work, and how to play. He grew up making deliveries, doing odd jobs, and working in his Grandmother’s grocery store. Later in life he learned locksmithing and playing the harmonica.

He and Tommie loved to dance. They looked back at matinees and evening dances as some of their favorite times with family and good friends.

Joe is survived by his wife, Maria Tomasa (Tommie) Noriega, his three children, and grandchildren David Joe Noriega, Alexander Joel Noriega, Maricela Celeste Castillo, Christopher Martin Kaye, Joseph Edward Berezoski, Deanna Maria Noriega, Michael Thomas Noriega, Camilia Marie (Mia) Castillo, Richard Joel (Ricky), Jr., and Christina (Tink) Diane Castillo, as well as great-grandchildren.

He also leaves his sister Susie, and her husband Frank Moreno, Armida Cruz, Yolanda Villanueva, Stella Medelez and their children, Joe’s nieces and nephews.

The Noriegas attend St. Helen’s Catholic Church, where Joe was an usher, and were involved parishioners at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, where Rick and Carol attended high school. Joe was a member of the Old Timer’s Club and American Legion Post #472. Joe volunteered in the International Department of St. Luke’s Hospital for 9 years, translating medical information for international patients.

He volunteered with the Cub Scouts, Little League and assorted political campaigns over the years, including that of his son, former State Representative and candidate for US Senate in 2008, COL Rick Noriega, and daughter-in-law, Councilmember Melissa Noriega, Constable Victor Trevino, State Rep Carol Alvarado, Senators John Whitmire and Mario Gallegos, the Hon Sylvia Garcia and many, many others.

Joe collected caps, and proudly wore his affiliations on his brow. Campaigns, the Democratic Party, his veteran’s groups and places he and his family visited were all examples.

Services will include a Rosary on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at Forest Park Lawndale, at 7:00 pm, with visitation from 5-7:00 pm. The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, February 16th at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Pearland, following a 10:00 am to 10:50 am viewing. Mass will then be held at 11:00 am.

The internment will occur following the mass at the Forest Park East in Webster, Texas. A reception will follow at St. Helen’s Hall following the internment at approximately 2:00 pm on Thursday.

Joe’s sister Susie summed Joe’s life up thusly: “he was a good husband, Dad and brother.”

The Noriega family would like to thank all of the friends and family for all their years of support and love. They would also like to thank the Doctors and Staff at Memorial Hermann at and affiliated with the ACE Center and Dr. Carmel Dyer at the UT Center for Healthy Aging.

A scholarship fund is being established for deserving Second Ward youth.