Jovial smiles and cultured English accents greeted all who encountered Joe and June Haughin. Married for 70 years, the long-time Orinda residents passed away within five months of each other. Both were 93 years of age.
Joe was born in Manchester, England, and June in Darlington. Joe was serving in the Royal Air Force in a medical office when he met a young nurse named June and fell in love. The two were married in 1950 and moved to York, England, and began their family.
In 1956, they moved with other family members to Oakland, CA, where Joe worked for The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters. In 1960, they moved back to York for a year before returning to California and settling in Orinda.
Joe and June shared a life-long commitment to each other and to The Salvation Army, where both were active in music groups.
“My dad’s whole life was his church and all his activities. He was a bandsman and sang with the choir. He just loved it,” said daughter Heather Brigman.
“Mom joined The Salvation Army when she was 13 years old, after being fascinated by the Darlington Citadel Band. She soon joined the choir and continued singing with different Salvation Army groups for 70 years. It was nice growing up with such a supportive, family-oriented organization,” added Brigman.
Brigman, who was born in York, recalls how much Joe loved Cadillacs, but would only buy a model that allowed him to carry his tuba in the trunk or backseat.
“He played tuba in The Salvation Army band. He would take it with him when looking for a new car, and if it didn’t fit, then he wouldn’t buy that model,” said Brigman.
Brigman and her husband Ralph are also involved with The Salvation Army, coordinating Christmas kettles and running the food pantry – jobs her parents did as well.
She remembers how both of her parents loved talking to people and building up their confidence. June, who had been shy, became a greeter at The Salvation Army, welcoming people as they entered the church.
“The impact on the lives of those she touched will be treasured forever,” said Brigman. Dad also had a quiet way of encouraging people regardless of their age, background, problems or needs. They knew they could talk to Joe, and it was safe.”
In addition to The Salvation Army, Joe was an Allstate insurance agent for 38 years with his daughter working with him for 11 years and her husband joining them for five years.
“Dad loved meeting people and loved his job, so he stayed on well past retirement age,” said Brigman.
Joe was also on The Orinda Association’s board of directors for many years, and he and June loved going to Oakland A’s games. The two looked forward to their wedding anniversary every year when they would receive an official letter from Queen Elizabeth congratulating them on their anniversary.
Joe and June are survived by their children Heather and Roger, Joe’s brother Colin and sister Dorothy, six grandsons and eight great-grandchildren.
“We have a ninth great-grand on the way. Dad knew about that and was so happy about it,” said Brigman.
“We are so grateful to The Orinda Association’s Seniors Around Town program. They drove my dad to so many appointments when he finally stopped driving his Cadillac. But he never lost his love for cars. I took him to the Classic Car Show in Orinda a few months before he passed, and he so enjoyed walking around seeing the cars and talking to the owners.”