Joseph William Tompkins

Dec. 14, 1947 – Jan. 29, 2015 A farewell ceremony held by the family and friends of Joe "Fleabagg" Tompkins will be held in Santa Cruz on February 13th, Joe passed away peacefully at the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto this past week. He had been diagnosed with cancer during the past year. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he was 67 years old. Joe grew up in San Carlos, CA and graduated from Carlmont High School in Belmont, CA. He joined the US Navy in 1968. Following his discharge from the service, Joe lived in many places including the San Lorenzo Valley, Oakridge, Oregon and Ocean View, Hawaii. Joe was a plumber by trade for many years of his life. While living in Boulder Creek, he worked for the YMCA Camp Campbell. He was a pioneer in the cell tower construction industry, designing and installing them throughout the United States and Guam. He was currently residing in Ocean View, HI at the time his health began to fail, and he returned this past year to be with his family in Ben Lomond. Joe's style was infamously casual, and he had friends and acquaintances all over the country, who knew him various ways. His talents included welding, metalworking, and the ability to make others laugh. Joe enjoyed gold mining, riding motorcycles, fishing, spending time with friends and helping others. He was funny, smart and kind. He was a free spirit, traveling where ever the wind blew. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Marie Tompkins, and his brother-in-law, Jim Keeffe. Joe is survived by his sister, Jane Keeffe , his niece, Erin Clark (Ian) of Ben Lomond and his nephew, Brian Keeffe (Anna) of Oakland, great-nieces & nephews, Gavin, Dylan, Elliot, and Grace, along with countless friends and extended family members who will miss him very much. Friends and family will gather on Friday, February 13, 2015 to bid Joe farewell, and pray for him on his new journey. The service will be at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, beginning at 1 p.m. If you would like to share your prayers for Joe and inquire about an upcoming ceremony to remember him, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com. Any kind acts of charity can be made in his memory to "The Love Boat Team" Scotts Valley Relay for Life. https://www.facebook.com/joebagg1?fref=ts