Share this Tribute

Let the family know you
care by sharing this tributes.

Joseph Arenas

Joe left his earthly body on December 30th at 8:40 am. Face to face, he is with his Chilean born father, lovingly referred to as Papa Joe and his dear mother, Mama Tina, born in Puerto Rico. Mercedes, Joe’s only sister left us years ago, has been pressing him to come to them, making her presence known for some time now in his dreams. The wonder of “this after life” is just that – wonder. We are continually surrounded by unseen witnesses. Family and friends alike passing before us are all now celebrating.

We are left with the memories of a most kind, gentle and loving person. Joe lived his life as he endured  his last two years of slow decline- patiently.

There were three twenties in his life’s employment. Joe retired from the United States Seabees Reserve, worked with the New York City Transit Authority and was the Energy and Technology Manager with the City of St. Petersburg in Florida. Joe enjoyed, continually learned and appreciated all his jobs, but these made not his identity. When one thought of Joe they thought of him as non-judgmental, a friend to all without exception, and without guile. He was the same on the outside as he was on the inside. I think Joe was given an innate sense of happiness – peace in himself and with others.

The stories Joe told to others were most often of family: about all his children’s exploits and accomplishments, his fishing tales – both the catches and the losses, the boat engine that couldn’t and of course the sport which he most loved – racquetball.  As the thirty year plus playing partnership aged, they discovered pickleball, continuing to play five days a week. Joe had some vivid dreams this past year of many winning shots. Although physically not on the court, his spirit remains. Their foursome is now three. May the laughter continue to ring out!

Born in Manhattan, New York in 1934, Joe also known in childhood as Chito was first raised by his grandmother Antonia in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He had life long memories, until his very end of grinding the daily coffee beans in the little wooden box, collecting rain water which drained from the tin roof into a barrel, and of course the sugar can stalks pulled off the back of a passing ox drawn court. Carefree and safe, barefoot and happy these were indeed precious memories for Joe.

At school age, returning to New York City, he was raised in upper Manhattan and then the Bronx. Joe started working early, as most children did in that era; from shining shoes with a box his father built, delivering fresh baked bread, even blocks of ice carried up tenement steps, – then in the early teens apprenticed in an electrical shop.

Life in New York was not limited to work, for street baseball was common, trying to avoid the cars, stick ball, hand ball, raising and flying roof top caged pigeons, and of course the beloved New York Yankees – making life long friends along the way.

Joe married Joan, his teenage sweetheart soon after a two year non combat experience on a Mediterranean bound aircraft carrier, The Lake Champlain. Joe was blessed with four children. Mark his first born son, the second son Joey, followed by two daughters, Elaine and Melanie. (Thank you for the seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren).

They knew him first, having special remembrances all their own from boating in the Long Island Sound, adventures in Central Park, whirlwind motorcycle rides throughout the Bronx and beyond. Just some of the many stories for them to tell and share again and again as memories are revived.

A deep, dark sorrow of loss followed Joe after their marriage splintered. But with time, comes healing.

Joe and I met through a mutual friend, quickly becoming fast friends. I remember vividly a long ago phone call which lasted all night, for like teenagers we were unable to hang up – giggling, laughing, sharing all our thoughts and experiences, till dawn. We had fallen in love and marriage followed forty-two years ago.  Blessed with four daughters: Carolyn, Michelle, Elizabeth Anne and Rachel. (Elizabeth lived for only a short time).

We ultimately settled in St. Petersburg, FL near his parents and sister. Fishing, boating, family, volunteering – life has been kind and gentle to us these many years.

May the spirit of Aloha sustain us. Thank you Joe for all your love these many years. You have been my safety, my calm center, my friend, my better half and my love. Continually, I call to you to make your presence felt and known.

And on a more sober note our entire family has a request. Joe and the immediate family has been under the constant care of Suncoast Hospice. At home since June 2016, then for sixteen days until his final breath at the Brookside Care Center, in Palm Harbor, FL. (Michelle and I were afforded the incredible gift of being present when Joe left his earthly body).

Thank you to Suncoast Hospice – to the many doctors, the nurses, the nurses’ aides, the social workers and extended staff including the many volunteers – to the vast HomeCare team as well as as the Care Center Team. They have all become like family and will always remain in our hearts. Joe often spoke of the trust and love he had for them.

In lieu of flowers we would appreciate a donation of any amount to this non-profit Hospice. They care for all in need – no matter the person’s financial ability or insurance. Pinellas County is truly blessed to have Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health; for the care they give is not the norm in the rest of the country.

– Eulogy written by Carol Arenas

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 16, 2018 at 10:45 am at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. For those needing local arrangements there is a possible group rate available at Holiday Inn Express, Madeira Beach, 4816 100th Way North, St. Petersburg, FL or Courtyard by Marriott at Madeira Beach.

 

The details, the legacy of one’s earthly life lives on in the memories of family and friends. Please if you know Joe in a different way than I did, tell a story now. Tell anything. Give us a way to hold onto him. Help us all remember him.

May the spirit of Aloha sustain us all.

The Vibration of Aloha is a blessing filled with healing and happiness. The Hawaiian language has layers of meaning that depend on the speaker’s consciousness.

Aloha is a greeting and a farewell.

Aloha is love, mercy, compassion, gratitude, kindness and affection. To be in Aloha is to be authentic, honest, patient, and humble; in harmony with God and all of creation.

The word Aloha is filled with Mana, the Polynesian word for spiritual energy. Traditionally, Aloha is breath shared forehead to forehead with one well known.

Alo is ‘face to face’ and Alo is ‘the presence of God with us’.

Ha is Sacred Breath and Ha is Spirit.

Aloha is the Breath of God within us.

(copied)

 

 

Leave a condolence

Email addresses will not be displayed on this site.

Call Now Button