We are heartbroken to announce the passing of the patriarch of our family, Jozef Brand. An extraordinary life has come to an end, and now we must walk the road that he paved for us on our own, with only the memories of the many lessons he taught us to light our way.
Jozef Anthony Brand was born July 13, 1936 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The youngest of 11 children in a raucous Dutch Catholic family, Joe came of age at an incredible time and place in world history. Some of his earliest memories were that of the Nazi invasion and occupation of his homeland, and all that came with it. Three of his elder brothers were in the Dutch resistance and their stories fascinated him for a lifetime and instilled in him that innate Dutch thirst for adventure.
Although his formal education ended after the sixth grade, he was an avid student of the world. He was particularly fond of history and geography, and throughout his life kept a worn atlas and magnifying glass next to his favorite chair. At the age of 19 in 1955, with the Dutch economy in such deep recession and the government paying its residents to leave, Joe boarded a ship and set sail for Australia to rendezvous with two of his brothers. There he worked and learned English, but his heart was always destined for America.
The Dutch do not sit still for long, and they never walk in a straight line, and so his journey to America would take him from Australia back to the Netherlands and then fatefully to Canada where he met the love of his life, Jeanne Goudis. In 1961 they left for Los Angeles and were married in November that year. A florist and horticulturalist by trade, Joe worked for various flower shops in Los Angeles and one incredible story of many was his involvement with the casket spray for Marilyn Monroe’s funeral service. Joe Dimaggio, the Yankee Clipper himself, thanked him graciously for the beautiful work.
Joe’s career in the floral industry took him from brick-and-mortar flower shops to his floral accessory business, selling his products to flower shops and then at floral trade shows and through catalogs. Demand for his products took him on sales trips all over the US and the world. Long after his retirement his unique talent with floral arrangements and decorations could be seen every Christmas season at St. Patrick’s Church.
Joe and Jeanne spent 64 wonderful years married together. They had three beautiful children, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Joe’s enduring legacy lies in the family he made such an impact on. He was a natural born showman, a skilled home chef, aficionado of fine art, classical and jazz music, and soccer. He was exceptionally funny, and you could always count on Joe to make his friends and family laugh. Most importantly he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather (Opa in Dutch).
He is survived by his wife Jeanne, daughters Denise (Kevin) McKahn and Adrienne (Henry) Arroyo, son Michael (Angelina) Brand, and their children and grandchildren. This summer we will all be rooting for the Dutch national soccer team to finally bring home the World Cup for their lifelong super fan, Joe Brand, who will be cheering them on in heaven next to Johan Cruijff. Hup … Holland, hup!
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 5, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon, CA 95366. Schedule is as follows:
Viewing: 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Rosary: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Mass: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Burial: 11:30 a.m.
The Escalon (Calif.)Times
Feb. 25, 2026
