Joseph Paul "Joe" Villagomez, of Keshena, member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and Deer Clan, began his journey to the Spirit World on Monday, September 16, 2019. Joe, a son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend was born on September 9, 1946 to the late Valerio and Blanche (Pierce) Villagomez in Buffalo, NY. Joe served his country by joining the Army and he was very proud of his military service. Joe married Lauren "Candy" Waukau on January 6, 1976 in Buffalo, NY. Joe was the Casino Manager for the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino prior to his retirement and moving to Keshena. Joe had a personality that filled the room, he made friends wherever he went, but above all, he was a family man and he will be greatly missed.

Joe entered the Army in 1963 and was Honorably Discharged in 1971. Joe was a highly decorated veteran serving 3 tours in Vietnam. Joe was an Army Ranger serving in the 1 ^st Cavalry Division and the 82 ^nd Airborne Division. Joe received the following medals and commendations: National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Bronze Star, Expert M-14 (EXP M-14), Army Occupation Medal (Berlin) (AOM), Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM), Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), and the Air Medal (AM). Joe, along with his father-in-law Mani Boyd and Warren Wilber, Sr., was a founding member of the Veterans of the Menominee Nation in the early 1980's. Joe was a member of VFW Post #2940 in West Seneca, NY.

Joe is survived by his wife of 43 years, Candy; one daughter, Samantha Villagomez, both of Keshena; siblings, Velma York, Margo Villagomez, Dennis (Guadalupe) Villagomez, Marsha Zornick, Gloria Lukonaitis, and Valerio Villagomez, Jr. all of Buffalo, NY. Joe is also survived by Candy's sisters, Lynn Skenadore, Leslie (John) Teller, and brother, Matthew Seestedt. Joe is further survived by a sister-in-law Marilyn Villagomez, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by: his parents, Valerio and Blanche (Pierce) Villagomez, one sister, Dianne (Al) Rys; one brother, Ronald Villagomez; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Hank York, Henry Zornick, Richard Lukonaitis, Doreen Villagomez, Lloyd "Walker" Waukau, Bernard "Bucky" Skenadore, and Lisa Waukau. Joe was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law Dolores K. (John "Mani") Boyd and his father-in-law Lloyd Waukau.

A funeral mass will be held for Joe at 10:00 am on Friday, September 20, 2019, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Keshena with Fr. Joel Jores officiating. Visitation will be at the Fr. David Barrett Parish Hall on Thursday from 3:30-8:00 pm and again on Friday from 9:00 am to the time of the service. Military Honors will be conducted by the Veterans of the Menominee Nation following the service. A memorial service for Joe will be held in Buffalo, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.