Jose F. Olivares, 85, of Syracuse, passed away at 1:28 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at IU Goshen Hospital in Goshen.

He was born on Feb. 17, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas to Jose and Maria de la Luz (Martinez) Olivares. He grew up in San Antonio, graduated in 1949 from Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, 1953 from University of Notre Dame with a degree in civil engineering, received his law degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. He was married on May 16, 1953 in Syracuse, to Nancy C. Ketering who preceded him on May 23, 2010. He was an architectural engineer, attorney and private businessman, and formerly operated the Continental Hotel in San Antonio. He lived in San Antonio until he retired and moved to Syracuse in 1997.

He was a member of the St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Syracuse where he was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, and formerly attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in San Antonio. He devoted himself to supporting Chicano rights initiatives in San Antonio such as LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens).

He is survived by five daughters: Elena Olivares, St. Louis; Luz “Lucy” Olivares, South Bend; Monica (Val) Garcia of Tivoli, Texas; Nancy K. Alaniz, San Antonio; Toni (Joe) Van Gompel, Austin; four sons: Joseph Olivares, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Eric Olivares, San Antonio; Mark (Bea) Olivares, San Antonio; Michael Olivares of Albuquerque; 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and daughter: Jeanette Olivares.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Rosary services will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in the funeral home. Funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, March 27, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 6941 E. Waco Dr., Syracuse. Burial will follow at the Violet Cemetery in Goshen.

Memorial bequest may be given to St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church, 6941 E. Waco Dr., Syracuse, IN 46567 or Catholic Charities of America, P. O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or church.