**F: FAMILY & FOOD** - Joseph prioritized his family's needs, particularly those of his wife, Celia, and their five sons. The gatherings often revolved around the delicious Arabic and Italian dishes Celia prepared, featuring pasta with homemade sauce, sausage, meatballs, tabouli, stuffed grape leaves, and hummus.
**A: ALWAYS THERE FOR US!** Over the past 33 years in education, I’ve counseled thousands of students whose parents have been very self-centered when it comes to spending quality time with their children. It’s truly heartbreaking. ❤️🩹I’m grateful for our dad made it a priority to spend quality time with us!
**T: TOUGH TALK** - If we ever misbehaved, Celia would warn us, saying, "When dad gets home, he’s going to read you the riot act!" 😂🤣
**H: HUMBLE BEGINNINGS** - At 16, Joe caddied at the Genesee Valley Golf Course in Rochester, N.Y., to help his parents pay their electric bill. During the winter, he would walk to the Sibley’s building to collect firewood for their furnace. He also set up bowling pins and shined shoes for extra cash, managing to save $100 during the Great Depression, which he proudly gave to his mother, bringing her to tears with joy.
**E: EVERYDAY** - He made every day count, whether it was working in their salon for 40 years, playing golf, or attending sporting events. Joe worked tenaciously to achieve his life goals.
**R: RELATIONSHIP** - When Celia asked him to do something he disagreed with, he would do it anyway, often bringing a smile with his classic eyebrow movements that made his five sons laugh—always behind Celia’s back! 🤣😂 In his last days, Joe had a deep relationship with the Lord and passed into eternity with immense grace.
Son #5 John 3:16