Joel Martin Roberts

Joel Roberts passed away in the company of his son on July 9th, 2024. He joins his mother, brothers Robert, Jerry, William, and his sister Judy. He is survived by his children, Rene, Laura, Mark, Matthew, and Carrie, and by his grandchildren, Austin, Matt, Elijah, Logan, and Michael. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Michael.

Joel was born in Chicago, on April 7th, 1943. His older sister, Judy, became his best friend. He loved to make her laugh and she lit up whenever she saw him. He had five younger siblings, Jerry, Billy, Robbie, Janet, and Dolly. After the passing of his father, Joe felt like the man of the house and devoted himself to taking care of his siblings. He adored all of his siblings and had a very special bond with his grandmother, Rose. He often sang “My Wild Irish Rose’ when she walked into a room. While his mother ran the French Doll Beauty Salon, Joe attended St. Anthony’s High School, in Long Beach, and worked after school. He also enjoyed singing, telling jokes, participating in Student Government, and being the life of the party. He met the love of his life, Lynda Ybarrola, at St. Anthony’s. He also made many lifelong friends at St. Anthony’s, and he cherished his friends for his entire life.

After High School, Joe attended St. Mary’s College in San Antonio, Texas. Upon his return, he and Lynda married, and they soon had Michael, Rene, and Laura. They were thrilled to welcome Mark one short year later, and he was followed a few years later by Matt and Carrie. Several years after that, Joe and Lynda welcomed Jan, Brian, and Keith into their home. Joe adored having a house full of children. He told jokes, chased his kids around the pool, and loved to cruise around the neighborhood in a Lincoln Continental or a Cadillac, smoking a cigar, with a nearly asphyxiated child in the passenger seat.

Joe loved to cook for his family, entertain family and friends, and the man knew his way around a kitchen. He often spent a Sunday watching sports and cooking elaborate, multi-course meals, complete with individual desserts, or his famous Black Walnut cake. He loved to listen to music and sing, and he found an outlet for his mellifluous voice with the Long Beach Men’s Barbershop Chorus. He loved to play Softball and he pitched for a slow-pitch team; he also played in a co-ed league with his wife. He used to joke that he needed to hit a home run just to get to third base. He also loved to root for the Angels and the Rams, but he kept a soft spot in his heart for his beloved Cubbies. However, he was also happy to watch any softball games at Pan American Park, stogie in hand. If you went along for the ride, there was usually a Thrifty’s ice cream involved at some point.

Even though Joe had many hobbies, his favorite thing in life was to spend time with his family. He loved to have his siblings and their children over, and he loved to celebrate all holidays. He was full of joy, with a twinkle in his eye. He had a loving soul and people naturally gravitated to him. He had a mischievous sense of humor and he liked to tease, but he was never a bully. He had a pure heart and a way with people.

Joe was a slick talker, a sharp dresser, and a hard worker. He had an astute, analytical mind and a quick wit. To spend an afternoon with Joe would leave your jaw aching from laughing so much. He could talk to anyone, anywhere, and could probably win a popularity contest in prison.

He was much loved and is greatly missed.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 25th,10:30 AM, at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, 4714 Clark Ave, Long Beach, CA 90808.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Anthony’s High School Scholarship Fund. St. Anthony's Scholarship Fund