Joseph Adib Touma Sawaya
Apr 18, 1946 Shweir - Feb 25, 2015 San Jose, CA
Message from James Sawaya on February 28 at 11:05pm · San Jose, CA ·
Dear friends and family,
We are saddened to share the news of the passing of our beloved Dr. Joseph A. Thomas Sawaya.
Visitation/Viewing will be Thursday March 5th at 5pm, Vigil/Rosary at 7pm at the Chapel of the Roses at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 | 408-297-2447. There will be an opportunity to speak and share your memories at the Vigil.
A Mass will be held on Friday, March 6th at 10am in St. Frances Cabrini Church, 15333 Woodard Rd, San Jose. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Flowers may be sent in Joseph’s name care of Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, San Jose, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following causes dear to Joseph’s life’s passions- assisting those with mental illness, finding a cure for Mesothelioma, and preserving and communing with nature:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness; www.nami.org
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation; www.curemeso.org
The Yosemite Conservancy; www.yosemiteconservancy.org
Shouf Biosphere Reserve; www.shoufcedar.org
Shouf Biosphere Reserve The largest of Lebanon nature reserves, Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve stretches from Dahr Al-Baidar in the north to Niha Mountain in the south. blanketed with oak forests on its northeastern slopes and juniper and oak forests on its southeastern slopes the reserve's most famous attractions are its t… www.shoufcedar.org
A
copy of handwritten sharing by Joe's nephew Daniel is at right >>>
Eulogy by Joe's sister Laila:
There are things that we don’t want to happen, but have to accept Things we don’t want to know but have to learn, And people we cant live without but have to let go. Thank you all for being here with us today to remember Joe. This is a sad day for everyone. It is my hope that sharing a few fond memories and personal attributes about my brother may alleviate your grief and help us focus on what a wonderful person he was.
Joe and I had a very close relationship and he was very protective over me. He loved me, wanted what was best for me and he was always there when I needed him. Ever since I was a little girl I knew I could talk to him about any problem. We were able to share secrets and, of course, make fun of each other. Joe adored his children and grandchildren and always wanted to help every one of them. Our immediate families were always bonded because of Joe. My children considered him not only an uncle, but a dad and a friend they could confide in. Joe was the center and the host of every holiday meal and family gathering, Nothing was the same without Joe’s wine, famous gourmet turkey, and his ongoing horsdeuvres. Some of his favorite things besides his friends (especialy the lady friends) were gardens, flowers, wine by the fire in fall, the beach in Gualala and Yosemite. Joe gave nicknames to everyone- even himself. He was Joe Po Po, Max was Maxy Waxy, Christina his TiTi, Ruba his Rubeye, Daniel Daniel Boon, and the list goes on and on.
Joe illuminated every room that he was in. He was so fun loving and could lift your spirits at your lowest moments. He had a very keen intuition and could see through people and know how they felt (so becoming of a therapist). Friends, patients, doctors, nurses, caregivers, and neighbors- they all admired him. My brother was a hero. He overcame numerous obstacles in life and fought cancer courageously, honorably, and with dignity. Even when he was sick, and then bed-ridden his presence filled the house and was a comfort to me. Although he worried about me taking care of him, and asked others to care for me, it was my honor to be at his side the last few years of his life.
I am thankful for his time here on earth, even though it was much shorter than expected. I will miss him more than words can say. I can’t imagine my life without Joe! I sit at home and think that any minute Joe will call or surprise me and walk in. Coping with grief is a great challenge but I hope that everyone here can focus on the fond memories you shared with Joe and that his spirit will continue to live on in our hearts and minds. In the words of Gibran Khalil Gibran:
"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you will see
that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to immediate and related families.
† † †
† † †
