Joaquin Tajalle Meno was a devoted servant to God, to his family, and to his country. He passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, TX on November 13, 2021 at the age of 80, after a long battle with vascular disease and dementia. In his last hours he was surrounded with love and prayers from his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his wife and “honey” of 56 years, Josefa.
Joaquin and his twin brother, Manuel, were born to Pedro and Natividad Meno in the village of Merizo, Guam on December 20, 1940. He was the ninth of twelve children. As a child he endured tremendous hardships including Japanese occupation of Guam and the subsequent execution of his father. Through the faith of his family and the help of a young priest named Fr. Timothy Kavanagh, Joaquin grew to be a smart, hardworking, and faithful young man, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating high school, he became a Lineman’s apprentice for the Department of the Navy before being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam war in 1962. A few years later on April 24, 1965, he married his best friend Josefa Quinene Cruz, convincing her to break off her previous engagement to be with him.
He began his 30 year Army career as an infantryman, where he served in combat during the Vietnam war and completed Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces training. He finished his time in the Army as a finance SGM, ultimately retiring in 1992 and using his finance experience and education to work as an auditor for the Department of Defense in Cleveland, OH for 15 more years. During his military service, he earned many awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Vietnam War Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge.
His greatest pride and joy was his family. “Papa” was the favorite of all of his grandkids. His tough soldier demeanor quickly gave way to a soft teddy bear in his later years. He formed deeper bonds with his wife and children and beamed like the sun whenever his little grandchildren were around, lovingly teasing and calling each of them “The Boss.” This man that grew up without a father ended up becoming one of the greatest examples of fatherhood, in the model of St. Joseph, by sacrificing himself out of love, ensuring that his family was provided for both physically and spiritually.
Joaquin Meno is preceded in death by his parents Pedro and Natividad Meno, his siblings Matilde, Thomas, Jesus, Mariano, Mariquita, Jose, Magdalena, Ramon, Manuel, and Pedro, and his daughter Arlinda Martinez. He is survived by his darling wife, Josefa, his children Joselyn Meno, Kenneth Meno (Kristi), Duane Meno (Karla), Teresa Reyes (Anthony), and Vincent Meno (Sara), his sister Gregoria, as well as 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. His family takes comfort in knowing that his mind is now clear and that he will be able to soon meet both his earthly and heavenly fathers.
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