Friday, July 8, 2022
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Finding the right words to speak of my friend Joe is difficult. He was so much to me. His taking all of us teenagers under his wing in the Columbian Squires was such a gift to so many. I will get very personal here. Growing up without a father as I did, Joe stood tall as a role model and mentor. His example of what it was to be a responsible man, a husband, a father and a part of the community became the standard for which I would try to model my life. I am who I am today very much due to Joe’s influence on my mental and spiritual development. I’m a poor imitation of this great man, but I keep trying. I will greatly miss him, but I have so, so many joyful memories to hang on to. Attached is our most recent picture together from last fall outside of St. Agnes Cathedral. I was visiting New York and my wife and I stumbled upon him and Gerry at the 7:00am mass where he was an Usher. He was a man of service to the very end, setting an example for the rest of us. Rest in peace my friend.