Joseph L. Aceves' Obituary
Joseph L. “Pepe” Aceves, 79, of Union City, California, passed away
peacefully inside his home on March 25, 2026. He was born “Jose-Luis
Aceves Vazquez” on October 19, 1946 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Pepe is the
eldest son of ten children to Francisco & Delfina Aceves. Pepe is survived
by his wife of 54 years, Elena Aceves, his eldest son and namesake
Jose-Luis Aceves, his second born son Alberto Aceves, and his cherished
daughter Maria-Elena Begiebing, along with two daughter in-laws, his son
in-law, six grandchildren, two brothers and six sisters.
Pepe embodied the American Dream, arriving with nothing and establishing
a full life for himself and his family. He started his career in an entry-level
position but quickly rose through the ranks, earning the respect of his peers
and co-workers. His native language of Spanish allowed him to act as a
bridge between executives and laborers, navigating the boardroom and the
shop floor with authenticity. Even after moving into management, Pepe
never forgot his roots. He earned respect by being an avid problem solver
who was 'never too good to get his hands dirty,' often removing his suit
jacket, rolling up his sleeves, and literally getting his hands dirty to help
solve problems on the floor. He once described his highly efficient approach
to life as being a 'very lazy man,' explaining that he always tried to find 'the
quickest, most efficient way to get something done.' The truth is, Pepe was
far from lazy.
A classic gentleman in a time when chivalry is rare, Pepe enjoyed
expressing his style by dressing well, often being the most overdressed
man at an occasion, a fact that did not sway him despite the occasional
teasing. He loved to travel, exploring new places both locally and abroad,
and cherished dinner dates with his wife. He was ahead of his time,
constantly fascinated by technology and its progress, and collected the
newest tech toys, even if unnecessary.
Pepe was fiercely loyal to his family, the people, places, and businesses he
loved. It was a common sight to walk into a store or restaurant with him and
hear the owner or counter person call out 'Don Pepe!'—an honorific
acknowledging he was more than just a customer. If Pepe liked a product,
food, or business, he would support it for as long as it existed, bringing joy
to faces when 'Don Pepe' walked in the door.
The entire Aceves family extends their gratitude to everyone who
checked-in on Pepe’s well-being over the last two years as he battled
cancer, and to his numerous caregivers who dedicated personal time to
help him or make him more comfortable. Your contributions will never be
forgotten. We hope all who knew Pepe will join us in celebrating his life, as
Pepe was a man who truly knew how to enjoy the moments that made life
rich.
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?