Joseph Patrick Carroll Homily, September 6, 2008

While preparing this eulogy, I was tempted to stand up here and read Joe’s memoir from the very beginning to the end. On second thoughts, I was afraid that Fr Ron would pull the plug. Thank you Ron, for being a gracious host to Joe’s Brothers, his extended family, his many friends and me.

When I finished writing the memoir, I loaned a copy to a young mother of three children from Colombia. She came back and said "I want to buy a copy and read it to all of my children as they come of age in the US."
She never met Joe, but wanted her three children to get the message of Joe’s life i.e. that it doesn’t matter that you were raised poor, one of 14 children. You will succeed in life, if you work hard, love people, be honest, have a sense of humor and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Joe was all that and more………as his friend Gary Ruckelshaus wrote endorsing his memoir……..I WOULD NOT DESCRIBE HIM AS AN 'ORDINARY JOE'.

As Barbara read in the first reading from the Book of Wisdom….."An age that is honorable, comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years ………rather it is living an unsullied life. …..He who pleased God was loved………..for his soul was pleasing to the Lord"

During his final months, I had a couple of long visits with Joe. He was ready to go meet his Master and renew his love with Adele. His thoughts and very feelings were reflected in the words read by his granddaughter Corinne from Timothy…..

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. From now on, a merited crown awaits me. On that Day, the Lord the just judge that he is, will award it to me."

I believe we gave the right title to Joe’s memoir…….THE MANY LOVES OF JOE CARROLL. He loved his family, particularly his Mom Lena, whom he said gave him his values for life. Joe helped his dad Eugene take care of the cattle and horses on the Scribner Estate.

Joe loved work and got his first job at age seven sweeping a sidewalk in front of a grocery store on his way to Assumption School. He was happy to give the few dollars he made serving meals at Loyola Retreat House to his Mom, recognizing at this early age, that his dad’s income was not enough to feed 14 children.

While working for the Jesuit Fathers: serving mass, like many young boys of his era, he felt a calling to the priesthood. At the same time, he had the conflict of being attracted to nice girls. He gave it the good old college try and went to the seminary in Pennsylvania for nine months. He came home, as he felt his feelings about girls was not compatible with the vows of celibacy demanded by the Order. He got a job driving a municipal bus.

From an early age, Joe loved Cars, and drove all his life up to age 93 ½ After he retired from working at the US Air Force factory, he chauffeured a rich old man in NJ until he passed away. All of us Early Birds at the Y remember him chauffeuring local folks to and from Newark Airport, ………saying with a smile, I need the money to pay for my green fees on the golf course.

The greatest of all of Joe’s loves was Adele. Although he was attracted to many pretty girls, once he met Adele, he fell in love, head over heals. He remained faithful to her for the next 67 ½ years of their marriage.

Joe’s love of golf is well known to all who knew him. One of the stories that I don’t think is in his book is about Matt Sitter, God rest him, an Early Bird who I am sure was waiting for Joe on the first tee in heaven, presented him with a trophy the first time that Joe shot his age of 85, on the golf course.

I will let Bob tell the story later, of how his dad and I had an on going battle on the golf course. It was very fitting that the last time we played about a year ago at Bob’s course in Connecticut that it ended in a tie. I was leading going into the 18th green before I dumped my chip shot into the pond. Joe looked at me aghast and said "Finbarr, you did that purposely, to make me feel good" I replied "Don’t kid yourself, next time, I will whip your butt" We both roared laughing.

Joe was above all, very proud of his son Robert, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He spoke to me many times, of how he appreciated Bob and Barbara’s love in the final years. Although many of us Early Birds were disappointed in them taking Adele and Joe to Connecticut, we knew in our hearts, that it was the right thing.

Joe did not leave this life a multimillionaire, like many of the rich folks he served as a caterer or a chauffeur. He left his family and us his friends with something more valuable…….a challenge on HOW TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE.

In the gospel I just read for you, the lawyer asked Jesus WHAT MUST I DO TO INHERIT EVERLASING LIFE?

Joe answered that question with his life ……….Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your strength, Love your neighbors as yourself. All of his neighbors, who got together for a wine party on Wed in Chatham Township, can testify to his love and generosity better than I.

I do believe that I am a better Christian because of knowing Joe and I know you are all better people because we have all being touched by this not so ordinary Joe.

Let’s see what Joe had to say about this moment today…….

[Reading from the epilogue of Joe’s Book]

"As I prepare to celebrate my 93rd birthday on March 17th I am very grateful for all the good things that have happened to me in my lifetime. My family taught me the value of work, to share with my brothers and sisters and later on, with the needy of the world. The nuns and priests at Assumption Parish taught me discipline, even if we disagreed at the time with their manner of administering it. The Lord blessed me with a healthy body that I have exercised for all of these years. I would challenge and golfer, professional or amateur, to guarantee that they would breaking 100 for 18 holes when they are in their early nineties……………..

"For whatever years the Lord will give me on this earth, I look forward to playing golf with my son Bob and my two grandsons. I am fortunate to be around to meet four great-grand children and hope to be around to welcome some more into the family. If I am blessed to reach the age of 100, I promise to invite you all to a big birthday party with a birthday cake bearing 100 candles. By the way, Finbarr, what are you doing the week of March 17th, 2014? I would like you to organize my 100th birthday party."

Joe….May you rest in Peace…………Amen