they call me bea: Florida

, by Unknown

The loss of a life is never easy...

on valentines day my uncle lost his battle with cancer.

i still have a hard time accepting that statement.

i was luckily able fly down to florida on the 11th, the morning after he was moved to hospice, and had the chance to spend his last few days with him and my family.

I knew when i moved away i would miss out on certain events with friends and family but i hoped it wouldn't be anything like this.

my uncle was in his early 50's and was strong and kind.

he was a bus driver, he loved to sing, and was always willing to help.

he raised chickens, pigs, rabbits, and turkeys (in a average house on a cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood).

my uncle was amazing.

my last memory of my uncle was in august before he was diagnosed with cancer (the last time i saw him before he went to into hospice).

he had gotten off a long shift at work and he came all the way out to my moms to see us. it was the last day Chris and i were in florida and for some reason i had to cut the meeting short to run some stupid errand.

i thought i had time, i thought he would be fine.

On the evening of February 14, 2015, Gilberto Jose ‘Joe’ Fragoso passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by family and friends at The Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, FL. Joe was 52 years old.
Joe was born August 27, 1962 in Havana, Cuba. He was the third child and first son of Gilberto Candido and Aida Rosa Fragoso. From an early age, Joe fell in love with nature and the peace its beauty brought into his heart. He enjoyed being by the water and spending time with animals. Joe was also blessed with patience. This patience, along with his amazing creativity, was put to use throughout his life. Whether he was building beautiful gardens, intricate koi ponds, indestructible animal homes, or simply working on plumbing, Joe was a master at his craft. Above all else, Joe was blessed with an honest heart. He believed in family first with unwavering love. Joe never shied away from offering a lending hand.
Joe will forever be loved by those whose lives he touched with his honest heart. He is survived by his wife Katrina M. Fragoso; his children Melissa Fragoso, Daniel Fragoso, and Jennifer Allen; his mother Aida R. Fragoso; his siblings Adriana Fragoso, Maria Elena Ramirez, and Rafael Fragoso; and his ‘favorite’ nieces and nephews.

-bea