Joseph F Gaio

Joseph F. Gaio of Redlands, California passed on to our Lord January 7, 2023, at the age of 89 after a long battle with dementia and heart disease.

Joe was born May 21, 1933, in Rhode Island to Jose and Mary Gaio, immigrants from Portugal. He was the eldest of 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls. Work was always a huge part of his life. He and brothers sold produce door to door, climbing up flights of stairs to help the family survive.

Soon after high school, Uncle Sam requested the honor of his presence in Korea to service in the Korean War. Initially, he served as a medic. But not finding that to his liking, he soon charmed his way into the mess tent. After being honorably discharged, he moved to California to start a new life in the Bay Area where he lived for most of his life.

Joe married Genevieve Zuczynski in 1960 and later adopted their daughter, Karen. They later divorced. He married his second wife, Nancy Cantrell in 1982. After retirement, they moved to Redlands to be closer to his daughter. He married Carolyn Tatum, October 16, 2005. They loved and cared for each other until his death.

He spent most of his adult life in trucking. His gifts of never meeting a stranger and a

witty sense of humor were an important part of his success. Starting as an owner operator driver later led to him owning his own business, Guthmiller Trucking.

Many in Redlands fondly remember Joe selling oranges at Dennis and Karen’s roadside citrus stand on Garden Ave. Reliving his childhood selling produce, he loved chatting with “his customers” throughout the day. Even when confined to home, he would fondly recall “orange season” and how he looked forward to it each year.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jose and Mary, his brother Norman, his first wife Genevieve and his son-in-law Dennis Hansberger. He is survived by his wife Carolyn and his daughter Dr. Karen Gaio Hansberger, his brothers Gaddie and Abel, and his sisters Esther Griffin and Nancy Hackbarth.

Services will be held at the Emmerson Bartlett Chapel on February 27th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Redlands.