In Loving Memory of Joseph Francisco Quirarte Jr.

Beloved husband, devoted father, proud soldier and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on October 17, 2026.

Joe enlisted in the Army’s delayed entry program at 17 and began his career at 18. He spent 20 years at duty stations in Louisiana, Washington, Belgium, Hawaii, and Germany. He was enormously proud of his service as a Military Police Officer.

Joe deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and to Iraq in 2007 with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He deployed to Afghanistan again in 2010 with the 170th Military Police Company. In 2017, he deployed to Guam and then in 2018 to Bangladesh on a United Nations peacekeeping mission with the 552nd Military Police Company.

I am especially thankful for Joe's time in Hawaii, because on September 24, 2016, we met at Mai Tai's in Honolulu and that was the beginning of our beautiful love story. Joe had a captivating, larger-than-life personality. His laughter could fill a room and he was a true gentleman. It also didn't hurt that I thought he looked like John Cena.

Joe proposed at Kualoa Beach and we eloped on June 8, 2018, at Makapu'u Beach on O'ahu. Joe had received orders to Germany and we didn't want to spend a single day apart while waiting for them to be amended to include me. We then had a beautiful, intimate wedding on October 16, 2018, at Daylight Mind Coffee Company in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.

We made a home near Stuttgart, Germany, where Joe found unexpected purpose and passion in a desk job for the first time, first as Senior Desk Sergeant and then as a Physical Security Officer.

Together, we cultivated a love of travel and visited 27 countries. Joe said his favorite cities were Rome and Athens. Our biggest adventure, however, was parenthood. Our two children, David (4) and Stella (2), could not have had a better dad. He loved us all fiercely and was a devoted and beloved husband and father.

Joe retired from the Army in September 2024 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his career, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and many other decorations. Just two months later, in November 2024, he was diagnosed with service-connected glioblastoma, an incurable and very aggressive brain cancer. He met it with remarkable strength, bravery, and faith.

After moving back to Pacifica, Joe became involved with the American Legion, where he was elected Commander, and found great meaning volunteering at the food bank. He also found camaraderie at the Veteran Resource Center at City College of San Francisco, where he enjoyed discussing (and sometimes debating) some of his favorite passions: politics, law enforcement, history, and astronomy. He also enjoyed coin collecting and bird watching, but his favorite hobby by far was cheering on the 49ers.

Joe challenged what most people thought possible while living with a terminal illness. He volunteered his time and talents across multiple organizations, took college classes, traveled all over the country, and never lost his sense of humor. His favorite moments, however, were simply being with his family: throwing a football with David, reading to Stella, or dancing with me in the kitchen. He often said, "I'm not afraid to die, I just don't want to leave you and the kids."

Joe died on the morning of October 17, 2026, peacefully at home, surrounded by love. Waiting for him in Heaven were his uncle and father figure, Dave Quirarte; my grandma Vivian, who told me right from the start, "He's a keeper" a baby we never got to meet Earth side; cousin, Ryan Haynes, and too many brothers-in-arms.

Joe will be missed beyond words by all who love him: his wife, Ashleigh Quirarte; their two children, David Quirarte and Stella Quirarte; his mother, Debbie Smyser; his siblings, Maria Quirarte and Donny (Ginger) Smyser; his niece, Tallula Smyser; his grandparents, Melvin and Dorothy Bolton; and his mother-in-law, Kathleen Kennedy.

He is also survived by aunts and uncles: Frank Quirarte; Jim (Tammy) Quirarte; Mel (Cheryl) Bolton; Donna (Matt) Haynes; and Denise (Bryan) Haynes. He leaves behind many cousins as well: Amie Quirarte, husband Steve Saturno, and nieces Olive Saturno and Alaska Saturno; Aidan Quirarte; Devin Quirarte; Marcus (Suzie) Bolton; Jeniece (Justin) Avalos; Kaitlyn (Brendan) Jensen; Kyle Haynes; Jordan Haynes; Darla Haynes; and Dottie (Adam) Bowles.

Joe also left a lasting impact on countless friends and on those he met throughout his Army career.

With my deepest gratitude, I would like to thank the Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery, and Neuro ICU teams at UCSF, with special thanks to Dr. Nelson, Dr. Berger, Dr. Theo, Dr. Young, and nurses Joan, Lauren, and Amado. Thank you to Cherrie and the Neuro-Oncology Caregiver Program, Bright Spot Network, and SLAY Society, and to Austin and Jon at Suncrest Hospice for their tender care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Parish in Pacifica, CA, on November 12, 2026, at 10:30 AM, with a reception to follow at the American Legion in Pacifica. Joe requested that everyone in attendance wear red and gold. He will be laid to rest during a private burial at Golden Gate National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International, an organization incredibly close to Joe's heart