Joe Mancha, Jr.

Joe Mancha went to be with our lord on Monday October 4, 2021, at home, surrounded by his family.  Joe was 72 years old.

Joe was born on November 17, 1948, to Jose and Daniella Mancha in Alpine, Texas. The Mancha family moved to Phoenix, Arizona when Joe was five years old.  The Mancha family, as well as Joe, worked on the cotton farms for a short period of time until the family moved to Miami, AZ.  Joe attended schools in the Miami area until he graduated from Miami High School in 1966.

Joe met the love of his life, Rose Mary Castellanos, at the end of his sophomore year in High School.  The only problem was Rose Mary was a Globe Tiger, well that was not going to be a problem for Joe.  Joe and Rose Mary went steady for 11 years.  On July 12, 1975, Joe married Rose Mary and she officially became a Mancha. Joe was drafted and was sent to Vietnam in 1969 -1970.  He was discharged from the Army in 1971.  He was very proud of his military service. You could see his patriotic display of pride in all the baseball caps he wore.  He wore his Vietnam Veteran cap until the time of his death.

After completing his military obligations Joe came home and started working at Copper Cities Mine.  He later transferred to the Pinto Valley Mine, west of Miami, and worked in the mine area, on the blasting crew and later as a carpenter in the Carpenter Shop.  He was employed until the Pinto Valley Mine shut down. After Pinto Valley closed Joe worked at CCA, a private prison in Florence, AZ.  He worked for the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, Maintenance Supervisor at the Apache Gold Casino, and at ACE Hardware.

Joe’s biggest love was BASEBALL.  He coached numerous teams starting in Little League, Minor League and Babe Ruth.  It was not uncommon to be walking with Joe at some location in town, and older young adults, with families would walk by and someone would yell out “hi coach”.  And to everyone’s surprise Joe would know their names “hey mijo, how are you doing.” When Joe quit coaching, he would sit at a little league game, and he would “explain” to whoever he was with the fundamentals of baseball.  He sure did love to coach.  “If you’re going to teach the game, then do it the right way”.  Joe enjoyed helping anyone with a project.  He loved helping homeless people get reunited with lost loved ones.

No one could ever explain to anyone else how much Joe loved his family.  It was a love without end.  If you were around Joe for any length of time you would see that love.  From his soulmate, Rose Mary, to his kids, daughters in law, and his brothers and sister, Joe had a heart as big as gold.  He had a greater love for his grandchildren, and great grandchild.  There is nothing that Joe and Rose wouldn’t do for any family member.  When Joe and Rose Mary traveled it was a logistic endeavor.  Because the entire family would travel with them.

Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Abraham and Maria Vega, father and mother, Jose and Daniella Mancha, and Brother Robert Mancha.  He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Rose Mary, Son Nathan Mancha (Dania), Son Adam Mancha (Alex) sister, Rose Mancha, and brother Ruben Mancha, (Catherine), seven grandchildren (Nathan Jr, Dayton, Jaslynn, Alyna, Alicio, Aubrey, Alessya,) and one great grandchild (Kidian).  Joe had numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe will be greatly missed.  His favorite saying “I love you to the heart” will always be a reminder to his family of a man who loved God, loved his family, and loved his country. Well Joe we will always “Love you to the heart.”  Go with God.

Funeral services will be on Friday, October 15, 2021, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Globe, AZ.

Rosary at 10:30 am with mass beginning at 11:00 am.

Interment will be at the Globe Cemetery.