With a Very Heavy Heart

One of our Founding Fathers, has left us today.  He was called home, and it with a heavy heart we say farewell to Joe, but never goodbye.  No Joe, will remain in our hearts and minds for as long as the rest of us walk this earth.

An incredible man.  Joe an engineer by trade, brought those traits to the TCF, he was the problem solver, and with his knowledge, and our skills, there wasn't much that ever defeated the TCF.  He was there if we were pounding out a bearing on the side of the road, on a boat trailer, or if we were hauling the old "Red and White" out of the lake after it sunk.

Was he opinionated, hell yea he was, he loved a good argument, he loved the fight, and he was competitive as hell.  He could be pissed at you, but all you ever had to was call him and ask him if he could give you a hand, and he would drop what ever he was doing, load his truck and be there to help you with what ever you needed.

He rebuilt the fire pit, at Pops for the keilbasa smoker which has allowed our group to make a few bucks.  When we lost Pops place, he did it again over at Timmy's.  This time with Tim's help, they were able to construct a concrete fire pit, as well as a concrete foundation for the smoker, and I know it will be there long after we are gone.

Joe loved the trips to Canada, as much as anyone of us.  He always had a good time.  I always enjoyed having a drink with him in the evening when, we were winding down.  He was great company, and he loved to tell his stories.

Joe was Family to me.  We were like long lost brothers.  He crossed paths with me several times in my childhood.  Joe was constantly moving around, his dad was Army, and we would spend a summer together, then I might not see him for two years, but when we got back together it was like we were never apart.  When he finally came back for good, I was very happy he went to Riverside, same as the rest of us, and after College, Jody and I asked Joe and Carl to come to Canada with us.  The rest is history.

We have a week each of the last 30 + years together, and we would use this time to catch up, on what was going on with each others lives, and just spend some quality time.  Soon our own kids were coming up with us, and the TCF began to grow.  Being a member of the TCF was passed to our children, and it continues.   Our bond between every member has been strengthened by the great friendship that we have for each other.

Joe was an integral part of all of this.  The way he could portray Marco, still cracks me up when I think of him.  Or the way he could recite word for word the speech by Quint on the sinking of the Indianapolis from the movie Jaws.  Joe had a unique personality.

I for one am a better person for having know him.  He helped me quit smoking, and was always there with an encouraging word.  Joe was a fighter, he never backed down.  Right to the very end he gave it his best shot.

I will miss you my friend and my cousin, and my brother.  Your were an amazing guy, and I will always keep you in my heart and my head my friend.  Your are home, but remember you will never be forgotten.


I love you Bud

TheWebMaster

                                                                    and your Brother