Joseph Presto Jr, 91, died peacefully from natural causes on July 26, 2020 at his home in Channel Point Village in Hoquiam, Washington after spending the day with his children.

Joe was born Dec. 30, 1928 in New Brighton, Pennsylvania to parents Joseph Sr and Angelina Presto both immigrants from Southern Italy. He was the middle of 11 children and he grew up in western Pennsylvania. He graduated from Ambridge H.S. in 1946 and then joined the Navy where he served slightly less than three years on the USS Sicily stationed at Guantanamo Bay. Following the Navy he went to jet mechanic school in Pittsburg. His training took him to a job in Cordova, Alaska where he met Nadine Wilkins at a basket social. They were married and moved to Baden, Pennsylvania in 1951. They had four children, all born in Baden – Joe III, Donna, Leslie and Karen. In 1963 they packed up the kids and moved to Nadine’s hometown of Westport, Washington. Joe trained as a plumber and together they opened up the Trading Post, a plumbing, hardware and furniture store in Grayland, Washington.

Though Joe and Nadine did not stay married, they remained close throughout the years. Joe was later married to Margaret Dickinson for many years. He continued to live in Grayland after his retirement in 1994. He moved to Channel Point Village in Hoquiam 4 1/2 years ago and remained happily there until his death.

Joe is survived by his four children and their spouses Joe and Mary Presto of Olympia, Donna and Kal MacGregor of Newcastle, Leslie and Mike Eggerling of Bothell and Karen and James Richter of Gresham, Oregon, his five grandchildren, Michael (and Teresa), Cameron and Parker Eggerling, Samantha MacGregor and Alexandra (and Jake) Schumaker, and one great-grandchild, Olivia Jordan Eggerling, his niece Heidi (and Todd) Dellinger, and grand-niece, Isabella Dellinger. He has one remaining sister Mildred Ruggles of Las Vegas and many nieces and nephews throughout the country from the Presto side.

Though he was born in Pennsylvania, Joe loved the beach and considered Grays Harbor his home for more than 57 years. As a plumber he met literally hundreds of residents over the years and was well liked. When he was younger he enjoyed golf, bowling and doing projects around the house. He especially enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

Due to the Cornovirus lockdown, the family will hold a private, small memorial service.