I'm here, teary eyed and all.  This is really tough for me to have to announce this.

First of all, I want to give my sincerest thanks to Chuck for posting the message about Joe.

Joe Vincenzi died was pronounced dead at 7:04 PM last evening.  He was still having liver difficulties, and complained about a great pain in his right arm.  Because he had such nerve and mussel dammage, the weekend doctors thought it was something completely else.  His vitals were good, no signs of abnormalities other than the pains.  I saw Joe between 5:30 and 6:30.  It was hard to make him smile, we talked about the past allot, but we often did that.  Since he was removed from the critical list on Friday to Guarded, he didn't have the private duty nurse and monitors hooked up to the nurses station as he did in the past.

After eating, Betty went in to see Joe and I, she looked good.  Betty is due to be released Wednesday to go home for two weeks, then return for one week of intensive theropy.  Casey and Wendy were not there, they were home.  Betty rolled in in her wheel chair and found Joe, she thinks immediately after it happened.  Betty claimed she saw some heart activity on the monitor as she rolled in and then saw it go flat lined, when an alarm went off.  she said she rest the alarm because she knew it was over.  She clutched Joe as best she could and announced her love for him, hoping he was still aware.  A nurse later came in and discovered Betty in silence, sitting next to Joe staring into space.

We were all summoned, I took the girls to the hospital with me.  We were there some 20 minutes later.

I want to thank all of you for your support. . . . . Not only for Joe and his family, but for me as well.  I tried my best, as we all did.  We gave Joe a ralley of support, like I have never seen before.

As I understand it, there will be a funeral tomorrow, private service at the funeral home.  Joe is Methodist as I am.  Our minister will perform the sermon, I know she will have a hard time with it too.  Connie a top shelf Minister and I am greatful for her company over the last 5 years.  She was close to Joe too.  Always clowning around with him, even in her sermons on Sunday.  One time last year, while I was travelling, Joe printed out a life size picture of me and put it next to he and Betty in Church on Sunday morning.  She never forgot that prank and often would ask him if he was still awake during Sunday Sermons.

It's a tradgity, it's sudden, and there is no excuse or explaination how all this happened.  All I know is, someone screwed up.

Joe is at peace now. 

Thanks to all and God Bless.

Good Morning

As I said yesterday, Joes Funeral will be quick.  It is this afternoon.  The funeral will be a private one, closest family and friends.  A few other neighbors will also be present as well as some of his co-workers at Corligiano Dodge.  There just wasn't enough time to let everyone know where it is.  It will be a closed casket.  Joe was alergec to flower pollen.

At Bettys request, she asked me to tell you two things.  1.  She wants to thank all of you for your support, kindness and prayers. 2.  She apologizes for not being more public with the arrangements.  Joe was a private person, only letting a handful into his life outside his family.  He didn't like pictures, so there aren't too many.  He didn't like parties, or large crowds, he kind of liked the one on one touch.  Neither he or Betty were party animals.  They enjoyed their companionship alone together with their children or their closest friends.  It is their way.   I really don't have anything to post for you at the moment, and frankly, not in the mood to put up his picture right now.

Elaine and I are fine now. . . . It will be a long time before we get back on track after this one. . . .  We've been there before, my wifes mother dying a violent death several years ago.  It brings back memories for both of us 

Betty is accepting reality. . .Elaine spent the night with her and the girls.  I kinda' let the women do their thing.  I am back to not sleeping again, but I will get over that.  She was more alert this morning, we brought her home today so she can get herself together. We brought Betty Home about an hour ago

As I said to Chuck yesterday, I plan to burry myself in my work and moving the company, which is this week and next.  For those of you that expressed concern for my family and I, Thank you.  It will never be forgotten.  I am a very rich man with all the friends I have.

As I write this, Betty came in with Wendy.  I have been asked to be Wendy's support and substitute father.  That was nice, but I wish I didn't have to do it.  Betty told me she is going to sell the house, all the furnishings except Wendys and move someplace else.  She said, as hard as it is, staying in the same house will be unbearable.  She will be staying with us until she finds a new home.  Wendy will stay with Casey.  But here spirits are improving, "accepting reality for what it is". 

Wendys Nursing School Graduation is Thursday.  She went to school with my youngest daughter, Stephanie.  Obviously we all will be there. 

A memorial service will be held at the church Friday Night as well.  As I understand it, it will be the turnout of all time.  Connie Fills the little church every Sunday as it is.  When she came here 5 years ago, attendance as 15 or 20 people.  Today it is 60 or 70 each with two sessions on Sunday Morning.  A memorial placque will be hung in his memory.  Connie will be moving on to another church the end of Augest.  We tried to keep her, but it didn't work out.  She will take the memories with her and stay in touch.

I will be out of it for a while.  There is nothing more I can say or do for the man now Other than taking care of the living and keep going as Joe would like.

Chuck.  If you can keep your eyes dry. . . .you're in charge.

Special Thanks to Doug and Mathan for your emails. 

P.S.  I retrieved the banner this morning.  I will spread it out here and take a shot of it so you can see the banner that came from Carlisle.  I wish I had taken the picture in the hospital. . . .thought I had plenty of time.  As soon as I locate the camera. . . . .   It's in here somewhere

Let me jump in here

Joes last name is spelled VincenZi  Vin-cen-zi

Before you go knocking out a thousand placques. . .   I like it though.  Never thought of it.

Thanks Mike.

Do you realize this thread has had 6006 views and 189 responses?  This has got to be a record.

Thanks everyone.  Good to know we're all in this together.

Very well said Billy Jack. . .   Thank you.

I showed your comment to Betty.  As strong as it is, it brought tears to both our eyes.  We were a close bunch here.  Our ties with Betty have been closer than ever. 

She still resides at my home, she is always welcome here.  We enjoy her company.  It isn't until the last week or so that she seems to be laughing a bit.  She went in to the chat room and met the "boys" a few weeks ago and thanked them for being a friend to Joe.  As you saw, she also posted a very nice message to the FL family.

FYI. . .  Betty is physically coming around.  Her balance is returning slowly.  She had plastic surgery done on the scars, and really doesn't look that bad.  She had the face and body of a 20 year old but is 49.  She will be going through several more plastic proceedures in the next few months, but the pain and suffering is over.  Dr. says her skin is in great condition.  In 9 months, you would never know.

Betty continues to speak of her gratitude for all your support

Late or not. . .  Your message is well recieved.  Thanks Rich

While we're on the topic, I guess you all should have an update.

It's been a month and a half since Joe has passed away.  Betty still resides at our house with Wendy.  I often find her sitting at her pool in her back yard, a passion of her's and Joes was swimming, any time, any where, cloths, no cloths, they didn't care.  We recently had some heavy rains. it lasted a week.  Most were at night.  Betty would don her jeans and sneakers and take long walks in the downpours.  She did this often before.  She said it relieved many stresses and Joe would join her nearly all the time when he was still with us.

Saturday night, it was in the 80's around midnight.  Betty, Wendy, and myself sat  at her pool on the deck.  The air was still and heavy.  The pool filter was off so the top of the pool was like glass.  Out of the clear blue, a ripple went across the pool from the ladder.  We stared at it in aw for a moment, and then all jumped in, cloths and all in honor of Joe.  Corney as it sounds. we think it was a message.  We sat there laughing and telling funny stories about Joe until 3AM afterwards.  Betty went back in the pool several times looking for Joe.

Last evening, Betty announced to Elaine, Wendy and I that she has finally reached closure.  While she has been looking at new houses near by, she admitted her heart wasn't into it.

And with that, I have been invited to a private pool party