My relationship with Joe began as his neighbour in 2017 with Joe and his caregiver walking past my door at the Sierras of Tuscany. Whenever he saw anyone in the hall he would reach out and greet them on the way by, with a flirtatious grin or a friendly handshake. I loved how he enjoyed making people happy.
Joe and I became friends in mid-May, 2018 when he was in hospital beside Lorraine and The Fairleighs’ world dramatically shifted.
I called Joe ‘The Candy Man’. He called me ‘Judi Baby’.
When Joe went on to live in the memory care unit at Sage Hill Retirement Residence, I began visiting him there on Fridays. I brought him the TV Times and we attended the Social on the main floor where we’d listen to music, shoot some pool and play a card game called King’s Corner.
Joe moved to Bow View Manor last spring, and when I visited him there, with Lorraine, we three would sit in companionable silence in the lounge overlooking the river and watch the dog-walkers and joggers go by.
Here are just some of the things I loved doing with Joe:
• Eating DQ chocolate sundaes
• Shopping for candy at Wal-Mart
• Sharing a big slice of Nick’s famous chocolate cake
• Watching the Bow River at Edworthy Park
• Cheering the Fighting Irish on TV
• Going to mass and out for lunch at after
• Listening to Glen Miller and Big Band music
It was my privilege to journey with Joe until summer 2022, when I moved away to BC. During this time Joe gave me the gift of his presence as his dementia progressed: the pleasure of his company, his ever-ready smile, his memories of good times passed, his unfiltered honesty, his love of Jesus.
Grant eternal rest to him, dear Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
