HEARTBREAKING NEWS: Joe IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. Got a call from Hennie little while ago, Dr. said only thing keeping him alive is machines, so she'll probably make decision to disconnect in next hour or so. You have no idea how it hurts. But, I know Joe will be with God;I'm worried about my baby sister,PLEASE pray for her. They've been together almost 30 years, have no children. Hennie is shattered - we all are. Thanks, will keep you apprised as I get info.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Joe is one of Letterville's biggest characters. Although I never met him I hear he is a sweetheart. Glad to hear he is fighting back!
[ April 18, 2011, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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You are all in my prayers. Len A.K.A. by Joe "the Yankee"
-------------------- Len Mort Signmaker1.com 11 Juniper Drive Millbury, MA 508-865-2382 "A Good Business Sign, is A Sign of Good Business"(1957) Posts: 811 | From: Millbury, Ma | Registered: Dec 2006
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Joe called me several years ago and we had a delightful conversation about what he was doing. We talked about race track signs for a while and all of the old school sign ideas. We both agreed we were dinosaurs and laughed about how little time we had left. I am very sorry to hear of his final situation and hope he goes out with a smile. Lotta people here have cared deeply for his warmth and kindness.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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sad news, I never met OP in person, but we emailed each other a few times. I remember some of his posts where he talked about Hennie and how a great lady she was, how fortunate he was to be together so long. Our prayers are with Hennie and family...
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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ahhh geeze, that is sad news, he was a humble guy. I got to meet him back in 98, he let me stay at his house when I was traveling thru Florida, he will be greatly missed...
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Irascible and sweet - simultaneously. Joe's one of those rare individuals that add the genuine flavor to Letterheads. There'll never be another quite like him. I'm sure we're beginning to realize how many behind-the-scenes conversations and visits involving Joe were taking place all the time. OP is family. Rest in peace, my brother.....
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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A valiant veteran who served the country well and kept us entertained. Joe, this friend will miss you.
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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so sad to learn of this. Last night i sought out an image to post with my prayers for Joe, and Amy's post inspires me to post it here.
Joe told me his favorite place on the planet was Kaupo Maui, and when I went to look for an image to rival any white light he might have been tempted to leave us for... I found an appropriate one, and purchased it so I could use it for my uplifting of prayers for Joe. Now I will post it with my deepest sadness for the loss of a great friend, and an irreplaceable character...
Many of you know Joe was not a fan of Gerber (or Goober as he referred to us) but that’s ok, he always spoke his mind as we all should. So from us at Goober, God Speed Joe, you will be missed and there will be a Signmaker IVB waiting at the gates.
-------------------- Tony Teveris Gerber Software Engr South Windsor, CT Posts: 92 | From: South Windsor, CT | Registered: Apr 2002
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The Great Architect has called you home, Brother. Godspeed, Hiram.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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re-reading what Curtis posted from Joe's sister in law:
quote: Got a call from Hennie little while ago, Dr. said only thing keeping him alive is machines, so she'll probably make decision to disconnect...
I just read this on Joe's FB page 50 minutes ago, from Robin Booker McSweeney:
quote: AMAZING NEWS! (for right now) Joe is awake and alert enough to get excited when he saw "everybody"(guess they relaxed the 2 people rule sine "he's dying"). When Nurse swabbed his mouth with sponge, he used his arm/hand to indicate he wanted more!! Nurse did caution them not to get too hopefull, optimistic,etc.
Ok, thats the brain part. Nurse said IF, and still a HUGE IF, he pulls through this, no way to know extent of physical damage yet!
and this from Sunny Booker:
quote: First of all, Robin THANK YOU SO MUCH for copying/re-pasting this...
Now, re physical part: NO WAY to know how severe heart damage is,how, IF he pulls through this, he could, worst case scenario "be in a wheelchair for rest of his life", t'know? And - ya' know what else: if he pulls thru this,there is going to be HELL TO PAY for all of us who had him "dead and buried". Well, that was the blankin' DOCTORS:) I'll take the hell from Hosey, won't y'all?LOL. Switch prayers back to JOE and Hennie!
[ April 18, 2011, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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In 1994, I woke up on ICU to find the whole Family at my bedside. My Dad from Calgary was even there. A Priest had just left after giving me Last Rites. Word was I would not survive my latest heart attack. Docs arn't always right. 17 years have passed and I am still here. Si is another good example of someone defying the odds.
OP came into our life shortly after we started theold Letterhead Website. It was early 1996. This whole Internet thing was just starting, but OP was one of the less than 30 sign shops on the Internet. We would search them out and actually phone them to join us in Letterville.
Old Paint was always a character. He has strong opinions about the things he believes in. That sometimes got things going, but it was always interesting.
Letterheads to me has always been about sharing and Family. With over 9,000 posts, Joe remains the second busiest poster in Letterville. That's a heap of sharing! We have all benefited from meeting Joe. Thank You Joe.
Barb and I first met Joe and Hennie when they lived in Sarasota, Florida. I can still see him at his computer. No shirt. No shoes. Just a big smile and this big hippy haircut and ponytail.
It wasn't long before I discovered he was a fellow "dirty old man" and self proclaimed prevert. Not politically correct in today's World, but who cares. His spelling is horrible. He has little use for rules, but even those who disagree with him can't help but like the Man.
You guys are our Family. I sometimes fear this whole Letterhead thing we all enjoyed the last 36 years is slipping away. Times change. Sharing our tips and tricks for free isn't as popular as it once was. I feel bad for new Letterheads that never had an opportunity to experience the love and energy those early meets had. Our lives have never been the same.
I don't know how this will all end, but I want Joe to know how much he means to me personally. It only takes a minute to pickup the phone and let someone know you care, yet it often gets put off. Be good to each other. This hurts.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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I'll be praying for you, Joe. If you're onery enough to make it, or not, God be with you.
He stopped by my shop a couple years ago, on his way up to Jackson, to the VA hospital. We had a good visit, and a good talk, and he shared with me that he wasn't a religious man. But he was a good guy, and God knows that.
I'll miss the good political "arguments" we had.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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Steve, You are right about getting these second chances. Both your and OP's health stories are an imspiration to me, who also spent 12 days in the heart unit a year and a half ago.
When you are watching the ICU monitor and it starts reading "CODE" and the button is blue, we all have to remember that it really does mean CODE BLUE! A dozen people ran down the hall and I thought to myself, "Wonder what is going on out there?" Turns out you are fairly safe inside a heart unit and they managed to bring me back to a very healthy state with no heart attack.
Your comment about the dwindling nature of this website is interesting as I have not noticed a change. Many people seem to still be part of this community and I have enjoyed sharing knowledge here and gaining a few tips. My life would be less interesting if I did not check in here and read stories from you all. It really is a wonderful community and you and Barb have given alot to make this happen. My hunch is that we will all keep in touch somehow, if the interest falls apart for the site. I would miss Dan's wild 3D works and Alicia's great videos, not to mention many of the others who just share what we all love doing....now can someone tell me how to finally install SPELLCHECK into my lettering brushes?
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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OP we are keeping you in our prayers; The Great Physician holds us dear and we are HIS...
my thoughts and cares are with you Hennie, family and friends, as OP has no enemies; (except the Buckeyes, of course; I hope you see this OP; what a great guy caring about others while we crack up as you are so witty. Love you Joe and Hennie,
Deb Fowler
[ April 18, 2011, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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So sad.
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His spelling is horrible. He has little use for rules, but even those who disagree with him can't help but like the Man.
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