joey

This is my favorite picture of my step-father, Joe. In this picture he looks more like "Joey," which is what his Malandruccolo family called him since he was a boy. Here he's a 17-year-old brand new Navy sailor in Honolulu, 1944. He served for two years and three months during World War II.

Joe passed away on July 19, while making a rare trip to Louisiana to visit his sister and her family. He had a wonderful time visiting them for two days, was treated like a king, and then he had a heart attack the day he was supposed to return home. His plan was to live until he was 120. He said that so often, we started to believe him. I think that's why so many people are shocked to hear of his passing.

Today he would have been 83 years old. Rest in peace, Joe. We'll miss you.