Deacon Joseph Anthony Pepe

April 19, 1930 - March 13, 2021

Deacon Joseph Anthony Pepe, 90, of Oxnard Passed away on March 13, 2021, after a brief illness (non Covid related). He was a Ventura County resident for more than 55 years.

Deacon 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.

Deacon Pepe faithfully served our country 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. After he retired, he worked at the Navy Exchange in Port Hueneme and Dunn Edwards in Ventura.

Deacon Pepe was a lay missionary for the Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, SD, and in 1993 was ordained a Deacon. Deacon Pepe served in Sioux Falls and at St. Joseph the Worker Navy Base Ventura County. He was also a life long parishioner at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Oxnard.

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 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.

Deacon Pepe was preceded in death by his spouse/best friend Dorothy Gertrude (Ronan) Pepe, son Brian Keith Pepe, son-in-law Sean Peter O'Hara, and grandson Padraic Michael Shea O'Hara.

Rosary will be recited at 11:30a.m., April 10, 2021, with Mass immediately following the rosary. The service will be conducted at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Oxnard, by Father Doan Pham, assisted by deacon Donald Pinedo. A private interment will be at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo.

Arrangements are under the direction of Martin Guerrero, Funeraria Del Angel Oxnard, in Oxnard, CA.