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IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/07/2003 10:44:53 By Gonzalo Ruiz
I stood there in the Doctors Hospital Emergency Room helplessly alone in front of his lifeless body, still warm. I was shocked, lost in my thoughts and totally numb. I could not believe he was gone... I could not believe I didn't get to say good-bye. I could not imagine a world without
Joe in it...

Can this really be happening?, I asked. This is not real...I talked to him sobbing, wanting so desperately for him to wake up and talk to me...I finally composed myself, hugged him and kissed him goodbye and walked out to meet with Mori, his widow, his son and daugther, my wife and some of the family and friends who were gathered in a small room. I looked around in slow motion. They all looked as shocked as I felt. Joe meant so much to all of us. Now what?...What next?

Joe Machado was a loving man and an example of simple truths. He was a caring person who worked hard to succeed in life without hurting anyone. He had a spiritual peace about him. He somehow managed to see the positive in most situations. He valued integrity and his actions were always consistent with his words... I knew that August 10th, 1999 morning how much he would be missed...I knew that my world and the world of those who loved him and knew him closely would be different from that moment forward, because his absence would be so deeply felt.
In retrospect, now almost four years later to the day, missing him has grown hard to describe. It is like a desperate gasp not to have him around. He made the world so much better by just being there.

Joe, there is not enough that I can say or do to describe your loss and how much you are missed by your wife and family....I miss you every single day of my life.. I always will!!!!

Following, in his memory I would like to share with you, his Stags brothers and friends, who knew him and shared a memorable period in our lives, the eulogy I was honored to deliver in farewell on behalf of his lovely wife, Mori, his loved ones, family and friends.


THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY TO SHARE IN THIS HAPPY AND SAD EVENT...

...HAPPY BECAUSE WE AS CHRISTIANS KNOW THAT JOE NOW HAS FOUND THE PEACE AND REST HE ALWAYS SOUGHT.

...SAD BECAUSE AS HUMANS, WE DO NOT ACCEPT DEATH SO READILY...WE CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS TEMPORATY SEPARATION FROM A PERSON WE ALL LOVE SO VERY MUCH!!!!

IT IS FUNNY AND IRONIC THAT I AM STANDING HERE TODAY DELIVERING THIS EULOGY IN JOE'S FUNERAL...ONLY BECAUSE JUST TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE TOGETHER IN MARCO ISLAND, HE AGREED THAT HE, WOULD DELIVER MINE AT MY FUNERAL...THAT'S BECAUSE HE SAID THEN(HORNY AS ALWAYS), THAT HE WAS TO LIVE PAST 85 AND STILL CHASE MORI, EVEN IF IN A WHEELCHAIR...

SOOO, WHO WAS JOW MACHADO?........

HE WAS A MAN OF FEW WORDS...ONE WHO WOULD LET HIS ACTIONS DO THE TALKING...BOTH IN BUSINESS AND HIS PERSONAL LIFE...

JOE WAS A DEVOTED HUSBAND...TWICE, AND THE CONSUMATE FATHER, ALWAYS!

HE ENJOYED LIFE ALL THE TIME...HE LIKED TO TRAVEL, SKI, GO OUT IN HIS BOAT...SMOKE A GOOD CIGAR FROM TIME TO TIME AND SHARE A COUPLE OF TEQUILAS OR A GOOD BOTTLE OF WINE ONCE IN A WHILE...HE LOVED TO GO OUT TO DINNER, PARTICULARLY AND ALE AND KAY'S... AND JUST ABOUT EVERY WEEKEND, GET TOGETHER WITH ARTUROAND VIVIAN(TEZANOS), MY WIFE AND ME...HE EVEN LIKED TO LISTEN TO ARTURO'S LONG BS SESSIONS ON THE STOCK MARKET...MOST OF ALL THOUGH, HE LIKED TAKING EARLY MORNING MOTORCYCLE RIDES WITH MORI HANGING ON HIS BACK...

...BUT WITH ALL THIS, ONE CAN CAPSULE THE MEANING OF HIS LIFE BY JUST SAYING THAT...JOE LIVED FOR HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN FIRST!!!

HE WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS SONS JC, WHO GRADUATED FROM COLLEGEE JUST LAST FRIDAY...

HIS DAUGHTER CHRISTIE ALWAYS BROUGHT A RADIANT SMILE TO HIS FACE...HE COULD NOT TELL YOU ENOUGH TIMES THAT SHE MADE THE HONOR ROLL LAST YEAR, IN HER FIRST YEAR AWAY IN SCHOOL.

AND NATALIE, HIS FOUR YEAR OLD... SHE FILLED HIMSO...HE WAS HYPNOTIZED BY HER.

IN MORI, HIS WIFE, HE FOUND WHAT I RECALL HIM SAYING..."HIS PERFECT PARTNER ...BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY"...HE TRULY LOVED HER...AND SHE LOVED HIMAND PROVIDED HIM WITH THE REFUGE, SOLACE AND TRANQUILITY, THAT A MAN OF A FEW WORDS, AND SOMEWHAT OF A SHY NATURE NEEDED SO MUCH.

SOOO, WHO WAS JOE MACHADO?

OH HE WAS A LITTLE BOY, WHO 40 YEARS OR SO AGO, ARRIVED IN THE US AS A CUBAN REFUGEE, AND TOGETHER WITH ME WOULD RIDE HIS BICYCLE AROUND THE GABLES, AND AFTER WOULD DAY DREAM ABOUT THE FUTURE, AND SUCCESS...HE WORKED HARD AT SUCCEEDING AND MAKING HIS DREAMS COME TRUEEE...AND SUCCEED HE DID, AND MADE US ALL VERY PROUD.

SOOO, WHO WAS JOE MACHADO

HE WAS THE YOUNG MAN WHO CHOSE TO JOIN THE US AIR FORCE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR AND PROUDLY SERVED HIS NEW COUNTRY FOR FOUR YEARS...THE SAME YOUNG MAN WHO UPON HIS RETURN, WENT TO COLLEGE AND LATER BECAME A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT WITH BARNETT BANK.


SOOO, WHO WAS JOE MACHARDO?

HE WAS A NICE GUY...HE WAS A NICE MAN...THE ONE WHO EVERYONE LIKED, AND NO ONE COULD EVER FIND A REASON NOT TO LIKE...THE ONE WHO WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR HIS FRINDS AND FAMILY ALIKE...

SOOO, WHO WAS JOE MACHADO?...

HE WAS THE NICE BROTHER, AND GOOD SON...ALWAYS THER FOR HIS MOTHER AND FATHER UNTIL THE END.

JOE MACHADO?...

HE WAS MY BROTHER AND VERY BEST FRIEND...A GOOD GUY WHO WILL BE TERRIBLY MISSED!!!


NOW I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE WITH A POEM FROM A BOOK POEMS BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX, WHICH JOE GAVE ME SOMETIME AGO...IT READS LIKE THIS:


WHATEVER IS...IS BEST

I KNOW AS MY LIFE GROWS OLDER,
AND MUNE EYES HAVE CLEARER SIGHT--
THAT UNDEREACH RANK WRONG, SOMEWHERE,
THERE LIES THE ROOT OF RIGHT.
THAT EACHSORROWHAS ITS PURPOSE-
BY THE SORROWING OFT UNGUESSED,
BUT AS SURE AS THE SUN BRINGS MORNING,

WHATEVER IS...IS BEST

IKNOW THAT EACH SINFUL ACTION,
AS SURE AS THE NIGHT BRINGS SHADE,
IS SOMETIME, SOMEWHERE, PUNISHED,
THOUGHT THE HOUR BE LONG DELAYED.
I KNOW THAT THE SOULD IS AIDED
SOMETIMES BY THE HEART'S UNREST,
AND TO GROW, MEANS OFTEN TO SUFFER--

BUT WHATEVER IS, IS BEST

I KNOW THERE ARE NO ERRORS,
IN THE GREAT ETERNAL PLAN,
AND ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE FINAL GOOD
OF MAN.

I KNOW WHEN MY SOUL SPEEDS ONWARD, IN ITS
GREAT ETERNAL QUEST, I SHALL SAY, AS I LOOK
EARTHWARD

WHATEVER IS,...IS BEST!

JOE WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU....YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HERE WITH US...SO LONG AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/08/2003 07:52:12 By Herb Stebbins (68)
Beautiful words Gonzalo. There is no pain deeper then the final good-by to the ones you love. Herb



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/08/2003 01:10:14 By Gaston Ruiz 1968
Joe, you were more than my older cousin, you were more than a business partner, you were my other older brother. You are deeply missed by all of your family members and friends. TE QUIERO... Gaston



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/10/2003 12:45:46 By Mory Machado
My husband Joe, he was such a wonderful man,
and a wonderful father!

Lost in my thoughts, just the other day, I realized how much Joe had an impact in my life. He encouraged me to go to college, taught me the ropes in banking and business and to always stand up for what I felt was right.

He made me realize that the joys in life come with the love of true families and friends and that no money in the world can replace that.
We were always together, from sunrise to sunset,
and happy at it.

Even now that he's gone I continue to learn from him, from the representation of his estate to the day to day dealings of raising our daughter Natalie.

He was the one, most impactful person in my life,
and I will always love him for that.

I can't wait to see him again someday!

Eternal love, Mory



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/25/2003 09:06:25 By Carmina Machado Decubas
Joe, my handsome cousin, when I first moved from Connecticut at 15, you made me feel so welcome into your home. I used to babysit your kids. I remember you in your little light blue porsche listening to Chuck Mangione. You reminded me so much of my brother Jorge. You always had a beautiful smile and something positive to say. A few weeks before God decided it was your time, we spoke and said that we "had to do lunch sometime." I wish I hadnt proscratinated about that date. I know you are with all of our loved ones. You are very much missed, but your memory, brings a warm feeling to my heart.
Miss you, Carmina



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/26/2003 11:21:54 By Ileana Machado
Dear Brother: We cannot believe that it has been four years. We remember that dreaded August 10, 1999, when the call came it to let us know that you were being transported to Doctors' Hospital- no further information given and upon our arrival, seeing your son's face coming out of the ER with his head down and Gonzalo's face, as well as Christie - pounding the walls outside the hospital- We never got to say good - bye. However, the hardest taks of all, telling Mom that you were gone. The look on her face, the pain, the agony and the sadness. Holding her hands to her chest and and saying "it should have been me, parents should not have to bury their children, children should bury their parents" - you are greatly missed! Although we, at times, did not see eye to eye, I looked up to you - specially after Dad passed away. You became the head of the family. We only wish that you had not taken so long to pay a visit to the doctor after returning from Tallahassee.

You would be so proud of JC and Christie. Believe it or not, JC is out of the Navy as of today (August 26, 2003). He has matured in so many ways. You would love his new townhouse in San Diego. You would totally fall in love with his girlfried, Celestine. He continues to prosper and become a man of means.

As to your daughter, Christie. She graduated Magna Cum Laude - FSU - School of Education. What a moment - you should have seen her. Trust me, we all thought of you. She is a wonderful teacher and we are very proud of her. She too continues to prosper and mature.

We all know that you are watching over us. That you have become our Guardian Angel. We know you are in a better place and resting.

We love you, we miss you dearly and you are thought of often. You will always be in our hearts and always remember you with great pride.

Love you much, miss you much, Your sister and Mother



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 10/19/2003 08:22:50 By Tim Yero
10/19/03
It gives everyone a warm feeling that someday, someone would be as devoted friends and family as you guys...
10/19/03
I just read this and can't believe what a nice thing it would be if someone remembers each one of us in the gracious words posted. I knew Joe, I loved him for his wondeful disposition, smiles and kindness. He was such a good person and fun to be around...
It is never too late to remember those who forged your very being, and meant so much to everyone he met...

Tim Yero



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 11/16/2004 11:53:37 By Christie Machado
The day we buried my Father, a dear friend of mine told me, "Christie...it doesn't get easier from here." I always wondered why she told me that, but she was the only person around me who was actually honest. I do not think that it is possible, if you haven't lost someone so close to you, to understand the loss...the pain...the emptiness. It is true...the pain does not go away, time definitely does not heal the wound. It changes, but does not get any easier. My Dad was the only person on this planet who seemed to understand me completely. He was so giving and selfless. To lose your best friend, your soul mate, and your father all in one is a feeling that I do not wish on anyone. What we do have is the beautiful memories. Reading these messages from family and friends helps bring back the memories and keeps them fresh in my mind. These are the stories I will tell my children and grandchildren (even my sister who did not get to know him like my brother and I did.)These are the memories I will hold close to my heart. My Dad always talked of Stags as such a close unit...a family. He was proud of it, always showing us pictures of the good times. Thank you for being a part of Joe's smile, the smile that we remember and love so much!



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 11/17/2004 06:55:09 By Gaston Ruiz (1968)
Christie, We all miss him a lot....Family gatherings will never be the same , but he will always be with us during these times ... He loved you all deeply and I know he is looking down at his children with that big smile of his ,seeing what you all have accomplished ....He was and always will be , very proud of you all.....love you ....



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/02/2005 08:39:48 By Mory Machado
Well it is early morning August 2, 2005, almost 6 years to the day. I miss him still,so very much!

"He is safe in my heart and my heart will go on and on!" I have learned to accept that and somehow, try each day to give my life a 2nd chance.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't remember my husband Joe and how precious those memories and moments were! It is so difficult to go on when you have lost your soulmate, the one person that could understand you even if words were unspoken. To continue through life's mountains and valleys, and try to stay focused, especially for those little ones, like Natalie, that God blessed us with.

Natalie has grown to be a bright young Machado, just like her brother and sister. I see so many of her father's traits in her, eventhough she was only 4 when he passed. It is amazing what genes can accomplish. Expressions, demeanor, even a simple thing like the way you remove your tshirt. Hugging her is the closest feeling I get to the energy I felt when I hugged Joe. She offers me so much peace! I love her so.

I know he is so very proud of his kids, JC, Kiki and Naty! They all share that special warmth that Joe had. It is so rewarding to see how well they get along and how much love there is between them.

Joe, "Our Guardian Angel" You have done such a good job! Thank you for taking care of us all.

God Bless, I love you eternally, Mory.



Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 08/02/2005 09:09:06 By Ivan Lopez
Mory, Jose was my friend and my brother for the short time we spent. These words are for you and your family. Que dios siempre los vendiga. Siempre sere un amigo y hermano de Jose y su familia...Ivan Lopez

Tears fall now,
Happiness fades away,
Cracked now, broken,
Pain set in and stays.

Heart shatters,
Into a million pieces,
Realization hits you,
As it becomes ceaseless.

Your knees,
Hit the floor,
You feel like you can’t,
Go on anymore.

Your eyes become blurry,
Suddenly you can’t see,
You sit and question yourself,
Why couldn’t it have been me?

You say goodbye,
For the last time,
Your never gonna see them again,
But you know your gonna be fine.

You will cry,
Find it hard to make it through some days,
You will miss them and need them,
But at the end of the day your gonna be okay.

Remember the good times,
And that they’re always with you,
No matter where you are,
No matter what you do.

They’re body may be gone,
But they left they’re soul behind,
They’re love is still there,
It’s now part of you for all time.

They never really left you,
They’re still with you,
And they never really leave you,
And always love you too.

They are always there,
To stop you from falling apart,
They will always be there,
And one day heal your broken heart.




Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 09/11/2008 07:34:37 By ileana machado
Nine years, nine long years since you departed. Mom and I still talk about you and how much she misses you and Dad - we all miss you.

tu hermana y mami




Re: IN MEMORY OF JOE MACHADOPosted at 09/11/2008 08:03:18 By Floyd (Turtle)
I cant believe it has been nine years already....I know you do not know me, but I am a '64 graduate of Gables and Stags...I loved your father and treated him as a brother as well as Gonzalo and Gaston when they arrived in Miami in the early 60's...

I will always keep him in my memory and thoughts..He was a great guy to know and be around...May God bless him and keep you safe as well...
















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