Lara in Colo Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 His name was Joe Mondello. He was an old timer racing great. He taught me how to port heads. He taught me how to machine a cylinder head. He taught me how to build a motor. He taught me how to earn a living. He took me under his wing and showed a "girl" respect and admiration. He defended me when others said I was inferior. He loved to eat out and we (Dh & I) have had several conversations over a bottle of wine with Joe. I was a guest in his home and he loved to cook for people. He suffered through a 30 minute car ride with a 2yo DD screaming, to eat my own cooking at my house. I look at the chair where he laughingly told me my lemon ice cream was "a little bit puckery" (It was TERRIBLE!!!). He always asked about the children when we spoke (even though I've been a SAHM for years and we only spoke once or so a year). I loved him. I miss the warm feeling that I could reach out and feel when I thought of him. My life is better because of him. Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 :grouphug:! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooblink Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 :grouphug: He sounds like a wonderful guy. The world needs more of his kind. I'm sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kchara Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry for your loss, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 My life is better because of him. Lara Indeed it was. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'm very sorry for your loss. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 :grouphug: I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'm sorry. You have lovely memories. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I am SO sorry. He sounds like a GREAT guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'm sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 :grouphug: I am so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: So sorry. May your heart be full of happy memories of a life well-lived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 When Dh and I were at a Racing Show (12 yrs ago), I briefly stopped at Joe's booth and chatted. Later at the airport, he chased me down to encourage me to go to his school! He told me I could do this (engine stuff). Dh thought I couldn't. In his class, a guy (meathead) gave me soo much cr*p that I actually slugged him. Later he asked Joe for some help (on the stuff I was working on) and Joe told him to ask me. :D I respected him, I learned from him, I just didn't know how much I would come to love him. Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnitWit Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I'm sorry for your loss. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyP Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Lara, I'm so sorry you lost your friend. :grouphug: Hold on tight to those wonderful memories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I'm very sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I'm so sorry! He's had a rich, wonderful life to be able to touch others the way he has touched you. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Oh, Lara. I am so sorry that you have lost such a good friend. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I'm so sorry! He's had a rich, wonderful life to be able to touch others the way he has touched you. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: :iagree::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 What warm memories you can carry with you on the days when your heart is hurting. I am sorry for your loss. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Sorry for your loss...What a beautiful tribute to him in your post, Lara. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I am so sorry. He was a great friend and a good man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnTeaching Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 It is so very hard to say good-bye, but what a blessing to have had him in your life. I am sure the reverse is also true. We can hear the love and respect you had for him, both professionally and personally. Here's to Joe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 Thank you for your kind words. This is the first real friend I've lost. I cannot go to the funeral since its in another state. (there will probably be tons of people there anyway) I just feel lost today. Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBasil Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 :grouphug: I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Thank you for your kind words.This is the first real friend I've lost. I cannot go to the funeral since its in another state. (there will probably be tons of people there anyway) I just feel lost today. Lara I'm so sorry. My best friend died in another state and through a long course of events, I was unable to attend her funeral, too. Be kind to yourself over the next weeks. The feelings will come in waves so let yourself be sad. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patches Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I'm sorry. Your tribute to him was wonderful. May you find comfort in your memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschooltoone Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 :grouphug: I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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