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Bill Graifer uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
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I served with Joe in Hawaii, we met as Gym Rats back in '79. He was always a kind and gentle soul and I lost touch with him for many years after each of us left the service as so many do.
Then I reconnected with him through Facebook on a random search for all of my Marine Corps buddies and found out he was relocating to teach at Ft Bragg, NC. We made plans to meet up on his way out there as he drove through Knoxville, and he has visited me many times passing through TN on his quest for vintage VW Bugs, Antiquing and meeting up with the guys he served with in his unit back in HI. He stayed with me on those occasions and we enjoyed many deep conversations and good meals. I was glad he got to meet some of my family in TN and when my Father was ailing in the hospital in NC in 2017, we met for Dinner. He was so shocked when I told him I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer 6 months earlier, I thought he knew through some of my posts on Facebook. He was a genuine friend and person who cared deeply for others. I never dreamed he would be gone in such a short time after getting his diagnosis. He was an inspiration to all.
The world is a better place for all those who came to know him, rest well my friend...
J
Jill Dalton posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
I had the privilege of teaching with Joe at Alameda HS. During this time, he and I, and many other fine colleagues, would share a daily 30 min. lunch period, which I more than looked forward to every day. We came together to share stories about our lives, our students, and our challenges and successes, BUT, above all, we joked around and laughed, sometimes uncontrollably and unsure whether we'd be able to return to our classes with students because we couldn't stop laughing (Joe ALWAYS made us belly laugh!!). Most importantly, we shared a camaraderie built on our love for teaching our students at AHS and on the fact that we were all "in the trenches" there together. I have never, and probably will never, encounter another team of teachers who felt as much like family as this group, and it was hugely due to Joe's ability to help us all laugh and encourage us through some very rough times. He was my dear friend and a true mentor, and, in the words of Tina Turner, Joe was, "...simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than ANYONE...anyone I've ever met." Thank you, Joe, for all the laughs and memories. Thank you for always knowing just what to say to me to encourage me through some of the roughest days. Thank you for your wisdom, your love of music and the arts, and your quick wit and charm. Thank you for the inside jokes. I can promise you that your memory will live on fondly in my head and I will carry love for you always in my heart. Much love to your family and many, many friends. I know you're in Heaven with all of our favorites--laughing, making music, and cooking bacon... <3
H
The family of Joseph Loren Hartwig uploaded a photo
Monday, April 13, 2020
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