I decided to create this blog for Joe Donnelly, aka Saint Joe, aka Grampa, aka Brother, I could go on and on. Joe's spirit was released from this physical world on Monday, July 13th, 2009. He was 78 years old. As Joe would say, he's gone home to Jesus.
Joe was unique. He was one of the most caring and compassionate people I know. I can recall numerous occasions when Joe would ride his bike to my house only to put a flower on my door. Sometimes I was even home, but he just wanted to give me a flower. I miss that man! And our weekend breakfasts! And farting around. When I was pregnant with Maria 5 years ago, Joe lived above Delbert's shop on 19th Avenue. I would stop by his place often. Sometimes, to take a nap, sometimes to watch Oprah, and sometimes to shoot the shit. Whatever the reason, I always felt comfortable in his presence (along with his hoarded belongings!-haha). He had a way about him. I felt the love from him. It was hard these past 2 years watching his body disentigrate. The girls and I would pick him up on most weekends and take him to eat at Katz's for breakfast. He and Maria loved the french toast there. I miss Joe... the active, smart ass, funny, loving, compassionate Joe that I know. I am comforted knowing that I can talk to Joe anytime I wish, for I truly believe I have a new angel with me.
Last night driving home, I cried. I cried for all those happy moments with Joe that I won't have again, and I cried for his freedom. He deserves to be free. He struggled to feel free, and I truly believe that he is now free. In the midst of my tears, I asked Joe- "Joe, send me a sign that you are at peace now." Just moments later I passed 'La Paz Funeral Home'. That was all I needed. I had never noticed that funeral home before then, or if I did, I didn't pay much attention to it. But all of a sudden, that was Joe... the peace! Free at last!!!
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Thanks Leita,
ReplyDeleteI know that he loved you and your girls, he talked to me about you and expressed his feelings about your friendship. You know he
found a better place and peace and freedom.
Thanks for putting this blog together for his friends and family to share their memories.
I'll see ya when I see ya.......
Hey Hey everyone! I just want to thank everyone for all the support and funds to help take my Dad back to South Dakota.
ReplyDeleteWe are having the wake on Wednesday and the Mass and Burrial Thursday.
I can honestly say I GREW UP with my dad. His sobrity was like a rebirth for him. So in a sence he's only 26. Ha Ha. He would have loved that! We have a special bond that I really can't discribe. We didn't even need to talk, we could just be. But you know he loved to talk! Leita said it best, He is free! I watched my Dad search for that my whole life. It led to great adventures, spiritial wakenings and most of all uncontrolable laughter!
Watching my kids today and his Phx. services was so amazing. They have some of the best moments with Gramps. He made sure to show them and tell them all the things I didn't think mattered. Some times I just Had To Hold My Toung! But now I can see how it made all the difference in the world to have my Dad as an Active part of my family life. Crazy as it may have been, it was a great gife.
I'm going to share some of my dads famous lines...........
:Love Ya like a Brotha
:See Ya when I see Ya
:Every girl was "Sissy" to him
:Big Time
:Tada Tada Tada
:Keep on Keep'en On
:Fuck It
Wow reading this made me laugh and cry! When I think of Uncle Joe I think ENERGY. The man was an energizer bunny! The last time Joe came to stay at my house he would get up at all hours and ride our bike and my youngest daughter called him “uncle wind chimes” because he would play with them in the middle of the night and wake the neighborhood up. I really think he felt sleeping was a waste of time he did not want to waste his! For months after he left I would find little notes he left in random places hidden in cookbooks, phonebooks, kids books, just anywhere and it would make me smile. One of them just said “love ya Wheesa” the others thanked us for being his family. I also remember trips to SD and Arizona to visit and I love those memories. When my dad passed away and Joe and his kids came to support us like you would not believe, it meant so much to us to have my daddy’s bother and his kids with us. One day Uncle Joe went to mass, when he returned he said he would have to find a new church he had gotten chased out of ours. You see, since we had not gone to mass with him he wanted to share his “host” and ran out the door with it brought it home and shared it with about seven of us. We laugh so hard, he said three people were chasing him but he was in great shape and to fast for them! I will never forget Uncle Joe may he “rest in peace” with his son Jeff and give my daddy a hug! I will see you when I see you. Love you Uncle Joe! love Theresa Donnelly McKee
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