- Date Of Birth: January 5, 1929
- Date Of Death: October 19, 2014
- State: New Mexico
Joseph Joe Bashara Shamas, Jr., 85, of RoswellNew Mexico passed away October 19, 2014. Joe was born to Joseph Bashara Shamas, Sr. and Almaza Dahtar Shamas on January 5, 1929 in Douglas, Arizona. Joe was preceded in death by his wife Janette Paul Shamas, four sisters, Mabel Shamas, Annie David, Martha Myers and Gloria Mize, one brother Ralph D. Shamas, and one granddaughter Jill Georgeann Gardner. Joe is survived by one sister, Joanna Lyle, two daughters, Bonnie Berry and her husband Tom of Roswell, Denise Gardner of Bedford, TX, two sons, Phillip Shamas of Roswell and Greg Shamas and his wife Martha of Albuquerque, 11 grandchildren, Lisa Nicholson, Joshua Berry, Chris Gardner, Ty Gardner, Ashley Boss, Brian Shamas, Sandra Trombala, Joseph Shamas, Emilia Shamas, Eric Shamas, Michael Shamas, 18 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Joseph Shamas, Sr. moved to Roswell in the 1940s and opened Shamas Food Markets. Joe Jr. purchased the stores and continued operating and expanding them, not only becoming a wellrespected businessman but becoming a friend and everpresent help to the people who passed through his doors. When he sold the stores in 1985, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to enter the real estate business in addition to owning several car lots and other businesses. Joe, in the tradition of his father and brother, cared deeply for and loved the people of Roswell and Chaves County. He, without any fanfare or seeking any recognition, lived out his faith by helping countless families in need over the years and was a lifelong supporter of the Poor Clare Monastery.
