Being a friend of Joe’s was an experience like few others

By SAL EMMA

Linguists say the vocabulary of the English language is just shy of a million words. I could use every one and still fail to paint an accurate picture of Joe Granese.
Everybody is unique, but some are more unique than others, you know? One in a billion he was. Larger than life, beyond characterization, impossible to pigeonhole.
Raconteur, comedian, adventurer, explorer – in Joe I found a kindred spirit who shared my insatiable curiosity about the world. But like most things Joe, his appetite for knowledge dwarfed mine, exponentially.
He was not only fascinated by everything, he kept a perpetual mental catalog of facts and figures associated with … well, everything. Today, you can sit at any computer, anywhere in the world, and Google just about any tidbit associated with life on earth. Joe was doing that before the kids who invented Google were in diapers – with no Internet.
His capacity for remembering and recalling disparate bits of information was mind-boggling, but he never waved it in your face. Joe had the capacity to know it all without playing the know-it-all. Ever the quintessential conversationalist, being in his company was fascinating.
Absent duplicity or pretense, he was a razor-sharp wit in a teddy-bear package. He had a unique worldview and an astonishing virtuosity with the English language. (His most vivid word combinations are unfit for print in a family newspaper.)
Being a friend of Joe’s was an experience like few others. He was one of those guys that you couldn’t dislike, even when the artillery of his linguistic genius was aimed in your direction. In fact, that made the journey even richer. Just being in the same room with him was life-affirming. Being with him, out in the world, “doing stuff,” as he liked to say, was a thrill ride.
For stupidity, he gave no quarter – even less for treachery. He was provocative, opinionated, occasionally intolerant and funny as hell. With human frailty, he could be less than tactful with those that crossed him. It took a lot to push his buttons, but the consequences were almost always memorable. He packed a big wallop, but he also had a very long fuse.
Despite his flaws, he was always magnanimous every day of the week. He was generous with deeds, money and expertise to friends, family and strangers alike. He returned favors. He kept his word. He understood the value of citizenship, integrity, loyalty and doing the right thing.
In younger days, his dedication to vice was legendary. Showing the true courage of his character, a heart scare and a hospital stay truly transformed him some years ago. Much to our collective surprise, he gave up his unhealthy habits and started listening to his doctors, virtually overnight. Of his reform he was wont to say, “I am a shadow of my former self,” an observation deep with layers of meaning.
The transformation was so dramatic we were sure we had lots more years to enjoy his company. We were very wrong about that. And today we’re feeling disjointed and foggy, painfully aware of a new and very large void in the universe.
Godspeed, Joe. Damn, we’re going to miss you.

Comment on this article: Being a friend of Joe's was an experience like few others

Related: Ode to Joe
 

Obituary

GRANESE, JOSEPH A., 55, of Ocean City passed away suddenly on Friday, April 11, 2008.
The son of Albert and Theresa Granese of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., he was the beloved colleague of Reilly, Matthews, Bononcini, Morowitz CPA and general manager of Accountant’s Computer Technology. He was also a journalist for Catamaran Media, published in such papers as The Sandpaper, The Current and The Gazette for two decades.
He was an avid birder and baseball fan and loved all of nature’s beings. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and his pet parrot, Andre.
His is survived by his parents Albert and Theresa Granese and his nephew, Alexander (A.J.). He was predeceased by his sister Judy.
There will be a memorial service 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 16 at Epiphany Of Our Lord Church, 3050 Walton Road, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. A memorial service will also be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 23 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 606 Shore Road, Somers Point where friends and family may call.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Somers Point, New Jersey.

Obituary