Joseph Hazlin Stocking

April 29, 1939 –October 28, 2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joseph Stocking, a man of wit, dedication, and love, who left us on October 28, 2024. Born on April 29, 1939, Joe lived a full and rich life, marked by numerous accomplishments, strong community involvement, and a legacy of kindness, love, and spirit.

Joseph, better known as “Coach Joe,” left an indelible mark in his community through his prodigious involvement in sports. He was a revered figure on the Cross-County, Track, Field and Soccer terrains. His leadership and dedication were exemplified in his early coaching career at De La Salle High School where his cross-country teams boasted a record of 182 – 9. He was part of the De La Salle Hall of Fame and there is an annual Track event held at De La Salle called “The Joe Stocking Super Seven.” His contributions to the sports world were further accentuated during the 1980’s as his Cross-Country clinched five Catholic Athletic League titles and two Northern Coast Section awards. He was also a great coach at Amador High School, Granada High School and Diablo Valley College.

His legacies stretched beyond the realm of sports. Joe believed in the power of community and integrated this belief into everything he did. He illustrated this through his active involvement in his local churches, St. Isidore’s, St. Charles and St. Michael’s and his coaching capacities, instilling in his teams the value of communal effort, unity and faith.

Joe was born in Ardra, India on April 29, 1939. His parents were Gertrude Josephine Stocking and Hezlyn Robert Stocking. Joe was one of 15 children. His father, Hezlyn, was a train driver in India and his mother, Gertrude, was a schoolteacher. Auntie Hannah looked after Joe and his brother Conrad for many of his early years. Auntie Hannah was a very religious person and took the boys to daily 6 am Mass.

After retirement Joe’s parents decided the family should move to Great Britain. On Aug 16, 1948 they established their family home in Welling, Kent. Joe attended St. Stephens Catholic School and went on to the Strawberry Hill College in London where he earned his Teaching Credential. He loved playing tennis and running in his youth. He became a runner with the Harriers, a British Track Team. He ran the 400 meter and 800 meter races and won many events.

Joe immigrated to the US in 1971 to join his brother, Bosco-Barney and his sister-in-law Gerarda in San Ramon. Joe continued his teaching career at St. Isidore’s in Danville. He went to De La Salle High School to teach and started his Track career as well. He and his brother Bosco-Barney would run together every weekend and often would enter the Marathon and Half-Marathon races. He became a US citizen December 8, 1981. Joe met the love of his life, Teresa in May 1982 at his Niece Veronica’s baptism. They got married March 1983 and have lived a very long and happy life together.

Joe is very well-known in the Track and field world. Every campus that had Joe as their coach went on to win many championships including Granada High School, Amador High School, De La Salle High School and Diablo Valley College.

Joe also joined his brothers Ben, Bosco-Barney and his sister-in law, Gerarda in their Real Estate Business – Stocking Realty & Investments located in Livermore. His clients are all very fond of Joe and remember him as being extremely knowledgeable, caring and honest. He was a man that was genuinely loved in his profession as a Realtor.

Because Stocking Realty was located near St. Michael’s Joe’s nieces and nephew would walk to the office after school and be entertained by their Uncle Joe. They remember their afternoon “fun” times within love and happiness.

His legacy of always helping people to join the Catholic faith was unswerving. He would attend daily Mass and Rosary with Teresa and was an eucharistic minister.

He had two favorite sayings: “May Mary smile upon you” and “It's a beautiful day for Track and Field.”

Survived by his Wife, Teresa, Children, Craig and Cindy, Grandchildren, Jason, Derek, Ashley and great grandchildren Grace and Parker along with his sisters, Lyette and Marion in Canada, Amelia, and Philomena in the UK as well as brothers Ben and Bosco-Barney in California, Rudolph in Canada and Conrad in the UK and countless nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews including his God-daughters Vanessa Leary and Veronica Stocking-Todd. Joseph will always be remembered as a beacon of love and a reservoir of wit. his lessons about community unity and his resolute dedication and unswerving faith have left a lasting impression in the hearts of many.

In Joseph’s memory we hold onto the lessons he taught us, the spirits he inspired and the love he shared. His legacy lives on in every life he touched. In his departure, we have not lost a man, but we have gained an angel.

Friends and family and anyone that wants to honor and pray for Joe’s soul are invited to attend a funeral service in honor of Joseph to be held on November 21, 2024, at 4pm at St. Michael’s Church at 458 Maple Street, Livermore, CA 94550. The service will start with a Rosary and Eulogy at 4pm a Memorial Mass at 5pm and a celebration of his life in the St. Michael’s School Hall next door with refreshments provided after Mass. It is here that we will come together to remember a man who not only touched lives but transformed them. A You-tube will be made for those that cannot attend but wish to be part of the ceremony that is included in this website .

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