Obituary of Paul Joseph Van Steenberge

Paul Van Steenberge passed away from natural causes on May 24, 2020 at his home. Paul was born to Henry and Lafaine Van Steenberge on Aug. 26, 1924 in Artesia, CA, the youngest of 5 children, Julian, Simon, Elsie, and Agnes. Julian, Agnes and Paul were born in Southern California and Simon & Elsie were born in Belgium. His parents, Henry and Lafaine (Cauwell) Van Steenberge migrated (sometime around 1918) from Belgium thru Ellis Island. Then went west to the Long Beach area, farmed at Signal Hill. They moved to Lockeford in 1925 and worked on farms in the area. His parent purchased a dairy on Hwy. 88 at Harmony Grove in 1926 (Now Omega Winery). While growing up Paul had to milk, feed and clean the cows, along with other chores around the farm. He went to elementary school at Harmony Grove thru 8th grade. While a youth, he had to share his candy with Anna-Maria Lodavica Massoni (Vickie) on Sundays when they went to St. Joachim Catholic Church in Lockeford. He was not happy about sharing his candy!! He worked hard for those pennies!! He went to Lodi High and played left end on the football team “B” team as a junior in 1941 and played varsity in 1942 (senior year). Ed Siffer coaches the B team and John Giannoni coach the varsity team, and they won the championship both years. Paul enlisted in the Navy in January, 1943 and was sent to Farragut, Idaho, for Boot Camp. After boot camp, Paul went to Bremerton, WA, for ship assignment and received orders to report battleship dry dock repairs in Guam. He was part of Advanced Battleship Dry Dock, Apra Harbor (ABSD 3) After 3 years of military service, Paul was discharged to Shoemaker Base in Livermore, CA Jobs were hard to find and he worked several different jobs, Roma Winery, did some plumbing work and then got a job at Claude C Woods Co., driving trucks. In 1947, he married his childhood and high school sweetheart, Anna Maria Lodavica Massoni (Vickie) at St. Anne’s Church in Lodi. They had their first child, Michael, in 1948. Then he was called back to the Navy for service in the amphibian force Beach Unit #1 (landing craft) Service in Korea and stationed in Yukata, Japan and was discharged at Treasure Island during the summer of 1952. He came back to Lodi and went back to work as an equipment serviceman for Claude C. Woods Company for the rest of his working career and retired in 1990. In 1957, their second son, Kevin was born. Paul was a member of American Legion Post 22 past member of Woodbridge Golf and Country Club. He continued to raise his family, helped his wife, Vickie with their businesses at Lodi Iron Works (LIW) & Lodi Pattern & Mfg. Co. He was a member of the board of directors at LIW for over 45 years. He enjoyed the Oakland Raiders and was a devoted fan of John Madden & the old Raiders of Oakland as he loved football season! Paul was a great Dad and Grandfather and he was always kind and gentle to everyone. His wife Vickie passed away on Thanksgiving Day in 1999 and Paul dearly missed her. He continued to live in the same pink house since 1962 where they raised their children there. Paul is survived by his two sons, Michael (Debbie) and Kevin (Sharon), 2 Granddaughters Gwen (Michael) Krenecki and Robbin (James) Yasso and 1 Step-Granddaughter, Natalie Clark. Also leaves behind 3 great grandchildren - Hunter Krenecki, James Paul Yasso and Savannah Yasso. Those wishing may send memorial contributions to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204