- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Joseph Fossa
Joseph Raymond Fossa
Aug. 28, 1946 - Aug. 1, 2019
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Joseph "Ray" Raymond Fossa was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on Aug. 28, 1946, to Joseph "Bud" Elliot Fossa and Edith "Dee" Marion Fossa.
They moved to San Francisco when Ray was 2 years old to start a better life with his older sister Shirley and younger brother David.
They then moved to Atherton for Ray’s formative years and he attended Encinal Elementary School. The family moved to Cupertino when he was 12, and there he attended junior high and Homestead High School.
Upon graduation Ray joined the US Navy in 1965. He served two tours in Vietnam as a Seabee, doing construction and transportation of materials.
Upon his honorable discharge he returned home to Cupertino where he would meet his wife, Kathie.
After their marriage in December of 1971, they moved to the Russian River where he started work as a carpenter at The Geysers geothermal steamfield. His career there brought him in 1979 to Kelseyville, by way of Cloverdale, where he would live out his days.
He rose from being a carpenter to being in charge of the Wildhorse steamfield lease up until its decommissioning in 2001.
Along the way he volunteered at the South Lake County Fire Protection District for 14 years, led numerous 4-H groups and was always helping his community.
He was a loving husband and father to three very fortunate sons. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Earl Fossa.
He is survived by his wife, Kathie Fossa; his sons and daughters-in-law, Jeremiah and Amanda Fossa, Danny and Trista Fossa, and Ryan and Promise Fossa; his sister, Shirley Huft; and six grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held for friends and family at a later date.