October 20, 2008

Joseph C.  – A loving husband, a devoted hard-working father of six sons and caring grandfather. Joseph lost his parents when he was 13 years old. He had two older brothers and four younger sisters. Joe’s parents instilled love for family, character and work ethics in him. Joe quit school to find work so that he could take care of his sisters.

Can you imagine being a 13 year old boy having to explain to his sister what happens to her body on a monthly basis? Or having to figure out why she’s crying when she probably doesn’t know herself? When Joe turned 16 he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and was out to sea about 6 months out of each year. He sent every penny to his sisters, made sure they went to school and spent all his available time caring for them.

Joe was a wise and quiet man, who didn’t waste his time, money or energy on things that he could NOT change. He chose his words wisely, although they were few. He spoke with authority and gentleness at the same time. He meant what he said and said only what he meant. A teacher of life’s ups and downs, he believed that men should work hard to provide for their families no matter what the costs. He taught that you should pay your bills on time, purchase only what was necessary and save like there would be no tomorrow!

His favorite holiday was Christmas. If ever there was a ‘real’ Santa Claus…it would have been him. Christmas to Joe meant toys spilled from under the tree to cover the entire floor surface of the room it occupied. Near the end of his life, Joe finally accepted the gift above all gifts…Jesus Christ!

Joseph died with expectation. He expected his seed to continue his legacy of continual learning and overcoming hardships through perseverance and hard work. He expected his grandsons to listen to wisdom, NEVER QUIT when times get rough and to do better than he did.

Wow, what an example of a godly father!! A TRUE self-sacrificing man of honor and awesome provider!

blessed