WOW, what a surprise to see Joe's name on our deceased classmates page....he was one of the people I really wanted to contact and spend hours with catching up -
Joe was truly one of a kind. While he was small in stature (maybe 5' 8'') his personaity was gigantic. Joe came to CHS later in our school careers, and after graduation attended Philadelphia Textile. Joe's greatest wish, like many of us back then, was to be liked; he spent hours hanging around popular kids, giving poorly attended parties, and doing unreturned favors, all in an effort to achieve "A" group recognition. Subsequently, he underachieved in college and decided to leave. When his number came up, he was drafted, trained, and shipped out to Viet Nam. Joe didn't talk much about his experiences there, but I learned from a mutual friend that he received citations for bravery...his job, at 140 pounds, was to pick up wounded comrades and carry them back to waiting helicoptors. Joe made the most profound friendships, and gained the deepest respect from scores of men who never learned his name - a little guy with a million dollar grin who gave them renewed life, and if I knew Joe, reassured them that a buddy was bringing them home.
As we grow older, our reflections help us realize that frantic life styles, ambitions, and even worthwhile, meaningful relationships and responsibilities sometimes inhibit continuiing friendships that deeply mattered. It was an honor to call Joe a friend, and recognize that he made a difference in my life. May he Rest in Peace.
George Roesser
WOW, what a surprise to see Joe's name on our deceased classmates page....he was one of the people I really wanted to contact and spend hours with catching up -
Joe was truly one of a kind. While he was small in stature (maybe 5' 8'') his personaity was gigantic. Joe came to CHS later in our school careers, and after graduation attended Philadelphia Textile. Joe's greatest wish, like many of us back then, was to be liked; he spent hours hanging around popular kids, giving poorly attended parties, and doing unreturned favors, all in an effort to achieve "A" group recognition. Subsequently, he underachieved in college and decided to leave. When his number came up, he was drafted, trained, and shipped out to Viet Nam. Joe didn't talk much about his experiences there, but I learned from a mutual friend that he received citations for bravery...his job, at 140 pounds, was to pick up wounded comrades and carry them back to waiting helicoptors. Joe made the most profound friendships, and gained the deepest respect from scores of men who never learned his name - a little guy with a million dollar grin who gave them renewed life, and if I knew Joe, reassured them that a buddy was bringing them home.
As we grow older, our reflections help us realize that frantic life styles, ambitions, and even worthwhile, meaningful relationships and responsibilities sometimes inhibit continuiing friendships that deeply mattered. It was an honor to call Joe a friend, and recognize that he made a difference in my life. May he Rest in Peace.
George (Chip) Roesser