Joe is Gone

My uncle Joe passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2005. He will be missed. He was kind, funny, intelligent and he had the most remarkable blue eyes. He lived with my mother, his sister for the last eight years of his life. They were inseparable. My mom would go shopping and he would serve as her locator compass whenever I called. Our last conversation on Wednesday 5.4.05: "Is Mom there Uncle Joe? Joe said "one minute" and handed her the phone.

It might not sound like much of a conversation but we had and implicit understanding, Joe was Joe. Nothing less nothing more, no pretense of what or who he was. He was a generous soul, a great listener, a father figure, he is missed. Not much for bullshit or stories. He lived a full life: Vietnam, two sons and thousands of memories. His favorite singer Tito Rodrigues always sang beautiful sad songs and melancholic ballads.

Uncle Joe was a constant in an uncertain world. Joe was always there for his baby sister. Through failed marriages, work difficulties and condo board fights. Uncle Joe thanks for being there when my father failed, thanks for your kindness, acceptance and listening ear. I know you and grandma are together talking away.