Honoring Joe Through Education

Joe believed in education. Not just school education, but cultural education. He honed his independent thinking over time with books, music, and experiences. And he lived an independent life shaped as he wanted to live it. He was a courageous being in that way, deeply guided by what he learned was important to him for living a meaningful life. He was happy.

As we know, he was intensely devoted to his family. His boys were at the center of his life with Cristina. He was dogged in his efforts to educate his sons in the best way he thought, whether that was encouraging his sons’ musical pursuits at open mics, or taking them on a Sopranos-themed driving tour in New Jersey, or camping with his family to experience the simplicity of being in nature together. There was not a historical marker in their many paths that was left without being duly read and photographed. Diego and Felipe can recite their father’s favorite music, books, shows, and films…and they can because Joe shared all of that with them and reveled in their experiences.

Joe was extra proud the boys were accepted into the New Mexico School For The Arts, as it is a blue ribbon school (the only one in the state) and 99% of the student body attends college. He loved his own college experience so much he extended it to 6 years! In fact, in year 6 the Dean called him into the office and forced him to both declare a major (English Literature) and graduate at the close of the semester.

It is with this in mind that we have set up a Go Fund Me account in his honor and on behalf of his two sons, so that they may continue their educational pursuits after high school in favor of becoming the courageous and independent thinkers Joe himself embodied. All proceeds from this fund will go directly towards the boys’ college education. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all for the love you have extended throughout this exceptionally heartbreaking time.

With much love, Cristina, Carina, Stacey, Rita, Elena and Bia