Joseph B. Solis

Monterey- Joseph (Joe) Bernal Solis, 90, passed away at home on October 18, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 25, 1921, in Santa Clara, California. Joe was one of eight children born to Manuel and Rosario Solis of Antequera, Spain. Joe?s parents emigrated from Spain to Santa Clara, California in 1913. In those early days he and his family found hard, seasonal work in the fruit industry of Santa Clara County and the fishing industry of Monterey. Between the apricot and pear harvests they went to Isleton, near Sacramento, where they worked in spinach and asparagus. Joe?s father eventually found year round work as a tree cutter for Del Monte properties and the family settled in Monterey. He grew up on Belden Street in New Monterey where many other Spanish families lived, including his future in-laws the Campos family. He so loved telling stories of his youth with his brothers and sisters and the New Monterey kids. One of his fondest memories was of a wonderful reunion of Bay View Elementary School. He also attended Monterey High, where he was a gifted athlete excelling in basketball and football. Later in life Joe became a terrific golfer and won the 1941 Monterey Open Golf Championship, as well as two other tournaments. Joe married the love of his life Sannie Campos on June 8th, 1947. They were married for 64 years and had 2 children Sannie and Joe. Joe and Sannie had a shared love of the many dances and social events they attended at the Monterey Elks Club (where Joe was a long-time member) and the Monterey Civic Club (where Sannie is a member.) But what Joe and Sannie enjoyed most in the world was the wonderful two weeks they would spend in rented cabins at Miller?s Lodge Arroyo Seco Campgrounds. Many extended family members would all vacation there together-children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers and many nieces and nephews. They did this for close to 40 years and memories of those happy times were cherished by Joe. Joe?s long-time association and employment in the golf industry started when his older brother Sam got a job at Del Monte Lodge. He became a caddy at Del Monte Golf Course at age 11. When he wasn?t caddying he also worked in the fishing industry cutting fish at Del Mar Cannery. He became a steady caddy at Cypress Point Club in 1932, leaving to join the Navy during World War II. He returned to caddying at Cypress in 1945. During his caddying days he caddied for Edward G. Robinson, Guy Kibby, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Bing Crosby (who was a personal friend) and Bob Hope. Before the war he caddied for a ?mystery stranger? and in Joe?s words ?I caddied for this guy who was wearing a pair of sneakers-white tennis shoes! and khaki pants, he was a pretty good golfer. He played out to the third hole and then cut over to No. 12. At the 15th hole Sam Morse (the founder of Pebble Beach) shows up and talked to this fellow. I figured he must be pretty important for Sam Morse to come out to talk to him. It wasn?t until after I got out of the service in 1945 that I found out the man was Howard Hughes.? In 1948 he took over the job as Caddy Master, starter and pro shop manager. Cypress Point had only 60 members in 1948. During his time there he arranged caddies for President Dwight Eisenhower, soon-to-be President Gerald Ford, Senator Jack Kennedy and many other heads of state and dignitaries. He cared very deeply for former Cypress Point golf professional Jim Langley. Joe spent a combined 48 years as a caddy and caddy master, retiring in the 1980?s. After his retirement he enjoyed duck hunting in Los Banos as well as fishing with Chris? Fishing Trips owned by his nephew Chris Arcoleo. Another great source of enjoyment for Joe for so many, many years was his love of the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. We feel so very blessed that he was able to see the 49ers win their game last Sunday, it made him very happy. Joe is survived by his wife Sannie, daughter Sannie Sollecito (Frank), son Joe (Donna), his grandchildren Gabe Sollecito (Wendy), Jaime and Joey Solis and great grandchildren Marley and Taylor Sollecito. Joe was preceded in death by his beloved grandson Frank Sollecito Jr., his parents Manuel and Rosario Solis, two brothers Manuel and Sam Solis, five sisters Carmen Acevedo, Pearl Ruiz, Margaret Kucher, Rose Lucido and Mary Lucido. A very special and loving thank you to Dr. Richard King for all the many years of caring for dad. He?s truly been a family friend as well as our doctor. Special appreciation to two very dear friends Woody Reynolds and Pat Shanks. Woody and Pat did anything and everything for dad at a moments notice, they are considered part of our extended family. Lastly we are so grateful for dad?s loving caregivers, our Peruvian Angels, Breny, Connie, Esther, and Judy. There will be a visitation on Wed., Oct. 26, 2011 from 5-8 PM at Mission Mortuary. Funeral Mass is on Thur., Oct. 27, 2011 at 9:30 AM at San Carlos Cathedral. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Joe?s memory to The Frank Sollecito Jr. Leukemia Fund, 977 Colton Street, Monterey, Ca. 93940