Lifelong learning…
Mom & Pop have built the foundation for just about
everything that we’ve learnt over the years.
At the risk of over simplifying things, these are a few of the highlights
of the things that Pop taught us over the years.
Our dad taught us…
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About fashion…he taught us that plaid is
appropriate for almost every situation (including this one), and that track
pants are an essential part of any self-respecting man’s wardrobe.
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How to look after our people…he taught us that
family and friends are everything.
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How to, or perhaps more accurately how not to
use beer instead of water on hot sauna rocks.
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How to love the outdoors (sidenote : make sure
that mean old Mr. Books doesn’t catch you watching TV when you should be
playing (or working…ha) outside. He
instilled a passion for all things outdoors…fishing, camping, hunting, skiing
(of the cross country & alpine varieties), hiking, water skiing and
kayaking.
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How to make wickedly funny and somewhat
(totally) inappropriate public jokes.
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How to play sports…more importantly he taught us
how to love sport.
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About character and sportsmanship, he taught us how
about teamwork & fair play.
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How to treat people…a firm handshake, smile and
eye contact go a long way.
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About work ethic & accountability.
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How to drive (perhaps not the softest teaching
approach, and examining our early driving histories perhaps not a very
effective approach either…ha).
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How to pretend it’s not a big deal when your
kids take your new pair of really cool shoes.
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About the value of community involvement…Joe
embodied active and ongoing community commitment.
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How to be self-sufficient, he taught us how stand
up for ourselves.
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About resiliency and toughness.
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Respect…a way of living, not an individual action.
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How to win with humility and lose with dignity (we
tell you that there were some pretty tense rides home from the rink if either
of these things weren’t done well).
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How to enjoy life, how to appreciate the
uniqueness of each situation.
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How to skip a stone.
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How to ski (although we still can’t make it look
as smooth as he did); on a related note he taught us how to talk yourself out
of a bind with the ski patrol (One could often hear “did anyone see that guy in
the gold suit with the white hair? He’s
a menace...”, ironically Joe became a big proponent of on mountain safety
through his role @ Searchmont).
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How to have a high standard.
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Put others first…Joe was selfless, he kept
putting the needs of others in front of his own right until the end.
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How to be brave…Joe showed courage through his
whole life, particularly in the last couple of weeks, he was scared (as we all
were) but he faced his rapidly evolving illness with dignity and courage.
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How to throw both planned and impromptu house
parties…he sure did lead by example, particularly during the 90’s on Long
Lake…we have vivid memories of some big afternoons and evenings with Taina
& Fred Beaudry, Fran & Bill Elliot, Linda & Ray Morin, Vivian &
Ed Gascon, Maureen & Rick Bartolucci, Lillian Claire, Laura & Kari
(Tubby) Villgren, Linda & Paul Villgren, Sandra & Ray Mantha, Arlene
& Rick Vendetti & many others. Let’s
keep the parties coming…big & small, planned and unplanned in all 4 seasons.
