Santa Paula lost one of its leading citizens when Joe Nesbitt passed away June 12 at age 89.  A native of Arizona, Nesbitt discovered California during service as a Navy medic in World War II.

He was lead banker at Citizens State Bank in Santa Paula from 1971 to the early 1990s when that bank was sold to Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.  Nesbitt later served as president of Santa Clara Valley Bank. He retired a number of years ago to devote full time to his avocado ranch and a collection of classic Cadillacs.

“Joe was the essence of a community banker and a prominent force in the Santa Paula community,” said Limoneira CEO Harold Edwards. A celebration of Nesbitt’s life will be held at the Glen Tavern on June 26.