Obituary of Joseph Rolland Cordia

Joseph (Joe) Rolland Cordia, 92, passed on peacefully to God’s loving hands on Thursday, October 6, 2016. Joe was proceeded in death by his beautiful wife, Sylvia Marie (Kordik) Cordia. Joe was the loving father of sons, Michael, Edward, Thomas, Kevin and daughter, Tina and their families, partners, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends. Born on July 2, 1924 in St. Louis, Mo., Joe was raised with his late brother Daniel and late sister Sue in St. Louis, MO, the son of Joseph and Jeanette (Casey) Cordia. After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1942, Joe enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and attained ensign in the Naval Air Core and was honorably discharged in 1945. After serving our country, Joe enrolled and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. He met his wife, Sylvia Kordik and they were married in 1946 and started their family. In 1958 Joe and Sylvia moved their family west, eventually winding up in Santa Clara, CA in 1959. In California, Joe worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. and then Kliklok-Woodman, a food packaging company, until his retirement in 1996. In his career as a mechanical engineer Joe has received numerous patents for his designs and innovations. Even until the days before his death, Joe was still designing, creating and trying to improve the lives of those around him. As a resident of Hollister from 2006 to 2014, a favorite past time was assisting Seniors at the Hollister Community Center with their tax returns. Especially in his retirement years, Joe loved to RV and experience the beauty of America. Even into his eighties Joe was still RVing, visiting family, friends and wherever the wonders of the road would lead him. Ever the adventurer, Joe spent the final year of his life in Austin, Texas, still designing, inventing and impacting the lives of those who cared for him. Visitation will be on Friday, October 14th, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, a Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Benedict Church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. *** Full Military Honors *** A reception will be held at the residence of Carla Talavera, 1641 Iris Street, Hollister, following the burial. Donations are preferred to Hollister VFW Post 9242, P.O. Box 99, Hollister, CA 95024 or c/o the mortuary.