Attorney James F. Hoey Dies; Rites Thursday

Death came suddenly last night in his Alhambra Valley home to James Francis Hoey, Sr., attorney, one of the most respected native-born Martinez citizens.

Mr. Hoey was 75 years of age and had been ill only briefly. Just last week he was hospitalized overnight with a back ailment and for a physical checkup.

A former district attorney for Contra Costa County, Mr. Hoey practiced law in Martinez continuously for 44 years and was active in all civic affairs, many fraternal organizations, horsemen's activities and Republican politics.

His spacious ranch in Alhambra Valley was opened often for fundraising events for charitable organizations as well as political gatherings.

The son of Bernard and Catherine Hoey, Mr. Hoey was educated in the elementary schools of Martinez and since there was no high school, he attended Lowell High School in San Francisco. Following his graduation in 1903, Mr. Hoey worked in the postal service and in the office of the Contra Costa County Tax Collector, and for eight years attended night classes at the University of California Law School in San Francisco.

He was admitted to practice in 1916 and became associated with the law firm of Creed, Jones and Dall in San Francisco. He later came to Martinez to become associated with the late T.D. Johnston, attorney, who became a superior court judge.

In 1922, Mr. Hoey was appointed chief deputy to A.B. Tinning, then Contra Costa County district attorney. After serving eight years, he was elected district attorney in 1930. On completing his term in 1934, he established his present practice at 630 Court Street in which he was associated with his son, J. Francis Hoey, Martinez City Attorney, and Sam Hall, Judicial District Judge.

Among the fraternal organizations to which Mr. Hoey devoted much of his time were the Native Sons of the Golden West of which he was a past president of Mt. Diablo Parlor and past grand president of the state organization; past exalted ruler of the Richmond Lodge, No. 1251, B.P.O.E.; charter member of the Martinez Kiwanis Club which he served as president in the first two years of its existence.

Always prominent in horsemen's activities, Mr. Hoey was a member of the Martinez Horsemen's Association; former captain of the San Francisco Sheriff's Posse and member of the Contra Costa Sheriff's Posse.

Mr. Hoey is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ludden Hoey, whom he married in 1911; his son, Francis Hoey, and a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Hoey Collins of Martinez. He was the father of the late Bernard Ludden Hoey.

Also surviving are six grandchildren, Sheila, Robert and Margaret Collins and Elizabeth Ann, Patty and James Francis Hoey III, all of Martinez; two sisters, Mrs. Rose Eaby and Miss Martha Hoey; and a brother, Vincent B. Hoey, all of Martinez.

A recitation of the Rosary will be held Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Connolly and Taylor Chapel with a Requiem Mass to be held at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Catherine's Church.

—From the Contra Costa Gazette; Tuesday, September 20, 1960