My deepest condolences to Joes entire family.  I never met many of you, but Joe was a very close friend and we worked together off and on for so many years.  Joe was extremely smart and talented.  I cant tell you how many times we would be at a jobsite  or trying to meet a deadline,  and without fail, a piece of equipment or a vehicle or something would break, and it was always at the most inconvienent time and usually  involved either the part we needed wasnt available or it was after hours and all the stores were closed.

Time after time after time, Joe would pull out miracles.  Either he would fabricate from scap metal the tool we needed, or he would come up with a makeshift part that would get what ever it was that was broken back up and operational.  Sometimes making the piece of equipment work better than it had before it broke.

Ill close on one of the funniest moments we had recently.  Im still not even 100 % sure why we both found the situation so funny.  All i know is it made us both laugh.  

We were working on some project that required a certain amount of lighting.  With todays leds, brightness is no longer expressed in watts like old lightbulbs 40 watt 60watt etc.  Everything is expressed in lumens.  Well neither one of us, was an expert at determining what amount of lumens we would need.  We actually both  admitted that neither one of us knew what the definition of a lumen was.   One of us, and im not sure which one of us it was decided before we could solve our problem we clearly needed to uderstand what a lumen was.  So  we sought the best source available.  Google it.

And the response we got was:

"Lumens are to light what pounds are to bananas or gallons are to milk.”

And we both looked at each other and laughed so hard.  It couldnt have gotten any clearer than that.  

We have all heard the expression, about that special individual who would give even a complete stranger the shirt off there back if the circumstances warrented  that.

JOE was this special individual.

You are and will be forever missed my friend.   At times we butted heads when our points of view differed.  But our friendship and our respect for one another never waivered.  

The next time im working  on a project, and something breaks.  My first thought will be if this is Joes doing.  And his way of testing me to see if i learned anything  during all that time we spent together fixing things.

Im not sure if our paths will ever cross again my brother,  but thats not what i feel is important.  Whats important is the many paths and experiences we have already shared.  For those times i want to thank you.   

Cousins are connected heart to heart.  Distance and time can't keep memories apart.  

Love you all, thinking of you during this difficult time. <3

Dear Florida Cousins,

We are so deeply sorry for the untimely passing, of cousin Joey.

Please know you all remain in our thoughts and prayers, at this most difficult time.