During the COVID pandemic, Dad and I would meet online each Sunday to "do church" together. I would prepare our Sunday service from the Catholic and Episcopal readings for the day. After we read and ate our respective communions of coffee/banana (dad) and tea/toast (me), we would talk about the readings and discuss what spoke to us and what we would take through the week until next Sunday. Dad would create a thoughtful mantra to keep him in a space of love. Dad wrestled with his humanity, like we all do!  He contemplated the great unknown and thought life beyond in the great unseen was like floating in a great soup of stars.  One of the gospel readings which gave him comfort was the one we chose to read. He believed there were many paths to God and appreciated the teachings of Jesus that LOVE comes first above all in this lifetime.  And if we walk the path of LOVE, then everything else is easy. We can "take off our packs and stand at ease" because God's yoke of love is easy and the burden of loving each other is light.  The Gospel according to Matthew (11:28-29)Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

I love you, Dad.  Take off your pack and stand at ease. Have fun floating in the soup!

Joe’s choice of snacks were on point. There were many Superbowl Sundays where we shared various dips, chips and other spreads. I can officially blame him for my current Trader Joe’s Salt & Pepper Potato Chip fix. 

Those Sundays were amazing because we were able to talk story: share memories of our life experiences, tell jokes,  curse together when game didn’t go our way, and celebrate when it did. 

My hope is to never forget the sound of his laugh. Just like my father’s, it provided me great comfort when I was smiling on the outside but not so much on the inside.

RIP Joe. Thank you for your kindness and friendship throughout the years. 🙏🏼💕

Remembering Joe Dorocak

Joe was a wonderfully unique fellow. We are privileged to say he was our good neighbor for over twenty years, and he will always have a special place in our hearts.

His greatest pride and joy were his family members. His daughters and grandchildren were a huge part of his life. He was so proud he was of them.

He would exclaim: “Grandchildren! Grandchildren! I have FOUR wonderful grandchildren.”

He was a great conversationalist, and had a delightful sense of humor! He seemed to be a natural born encourager. He was happy to help others.

As you know, Joe was a really smart guy, and he always enjoyed learning and being productive.

He loved technology, especially the ways it could make life significantly better for people.

When we’d ask him how he was doing, he most often replied with a great smile, saying: “The Lord is very kind to me!”

He liked to remind us of the reason he was happy and content: he was extremely grateful and intentionally thankful to God for all the blessings in his life.

Sometimes his home felt like a chapel. His music was inspiring. We often prayed together. Sometimes there was a comforting, divine presence, which brought hushed reverence.

When we would pray for each other, and the people dear to our hearts, he was exceptionally respectful of anyone he mentioned and didn’t share personal details, just enough to be supportive.

If someone needed healing, peace, comfort, encouragement, wisdom, or the like, he would usually say he needs the same thing, too.

The two questions he liked to ask were: May I give you a hug? And may I pray for you? He always prayed for a person right then and there so that he wouldn’t forget.

His greatest influence on us was his example of loving more people more. He only talked about this a little, but over the years, we watched him becoming even more loving to more and more people.

Of all the ways we remember Joe, this is the one that has had the most profound and lasting effect. It would be beautiful if the whole world was influenced by this love! We would sing in perfect harmony.

Everyone who knew Joe, saw how much he loved music and songwriting. It was a pleasure to visit and listen to him singing and playing keyboard at home. It was more than listening, it was an experience!

It was great to hear him perform the new songs he was writing. One of the most memorable included the line: “I'm expecting miracles every single day.”

Joe sang in choir at his church, and we would attend when he did special music there. He always sang from his heart. You could see it in his face.

Our city has an annual parade. When we hear the marching bands, they always remind us of Joe.

It’s good to be remembering him today.

Consider yourself hugged.

With Our Love and Sympathy,

Tom & Sharon Venolia

Dear Becky, Jessica and the Family,

Apologies for not responding earlier. I now am back to the laptop with internet and happy in a bittersweet way to send this message before the 27th of September to celebrate your Dad and Grandpa’s life.

While I am unable to attend in person I will be in attendance via zoom and thankful for your inclusion.

Joseph (Hoss) enlivened the fabric of my life and colored, strengthened and enriched it. We first met in the PAL Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps and attended the same Notre Dame High School with his graduation a year ahead of mine, as well as University. Friendship was renewed in planning for the PAL 2003 Reunion. He was our “spiritual” leader then and brought his IT skills to bear in guiding us through the web page and newsletters.

Our friendship remained through the years and I can only be grateful that I was honored to be one of his friends.

Joe’s passing has struck quite a chord … in remembering him on and off the field to his pride and love in you, his family, as he strived to be the best in what one can be.

Whenever we spoke and shared music – once while I was shopping for my 100 year old Mom and standing in the grocery aisle at Christmas - we agreed that it is true that “You Never Walk Alone”.

I can only raise a glass, nod sagely, smile quietly … and remember.

Thank you, Joe.

Love, prayers and gratitude to you, Becky, Jessica and your Family.

Frances (Sanci) Tenney