Joseph F. Havens

Joe was born in Toms River, NJ, as one of seven kids, to Louis and Teresa Havens. After graduating high school, he spent a short stint in the Air Force, before returning to New Jersey. In the mid-60s he was lured to Northern California with the promise of snowless winters and soon had a job with Kaiser Steel. Working his way up the ranks he worked in various areas for Kaiser steel and later Oregon Steel where he retired as an operator on the forming line.

In the late '60s Joe was introduced to a widow with four teenage boys (Richard, David, Daniel and DJ) by the name of Shirley Davenport. On May 4, 1972, Joe, as he put it, "Since he couldn't beat her in pool he may as well join her" married the love of his life Shirley Havens. Ten months later they gave birth to their fifth son Patrick and then three years after on April Fool's Day 1976, they got to announce the birth of their one and only daughter, Minnette.

After his retirement Joe spent his free time enjoying holidays and vacations with family and volunteering with First Christian Church's Men on a Mission, working on several projects. When his love Shirley died in late 2019, Joe put his focus on spending time with his grandkids and family. He was a regular cheering on his grandsons at bowling, Little League, school events. One of his last events he attended was the first birthday of his great-grandson.

Joe left a growing family of six kids, eight grandkids and five great-grandkids.

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