Number one:

EULOGY TO BROTHER JOHN

Dear Linda & Peter, dear brothers & sisters, & dear relatives & friends;


By: Joseph Moy

"It is very difficult to believe that less than one week ago Johnny was as alive and you and I. In a twinkling of an eye he was gone and into our memories. If we could speak to him about his sudden departure, I think he would probably smile. He is the kind of guy that doesn't blow his horn either about what he has done or is is about to do.

"No one can understand the wisdom of God in calling Johnny on such short notice. But we can be certain it was according to His plan. I remember when Johnny was a combat engineer during World War II. As you may know, a combat engineer is a frontline soldier whose primary duty is to build something in the midst of enemy action. I recall he wrote home that on one occasion artillery shells were exploding around him. It wasn't Johnny's time to go. So he came home no worst for wear.

"One other incident in Johnny's wartime service is worth remembering, because it so typifies his concern for the people around him. In Belgium he helped a war-destituted family by sharing with them his Army rations. This act was significant because it shows that to him people are people -  not just persons of Chinese ancestry.

"Johnny married shortly after then end of the War. He gave it everything he had and them some. I remembered that he did just about anything and everything to support a growing family. He worked in a factory, he sold vacuum cleaners, he held part-time jobs, he even owned and operated a retail store on Canal Street. As well as I can remember he never asked for help without any thought of repaying. He was a very proud man... and also a very stubborn one. In retrospect I believe he had some very happy times, but he must also have had a very heavy burden to carry over the last thirty years. But whatever his adversities he did not hide from other people's difficulties, nor did he stray away from doing the 'right' thing even if meant not getting what he, in all probability, needed desperately. It is not surprising then that the strongest word I ever hear in his language was 'Heck.'

"No, Johnny's life on earth did not win him any material things; but material gains for its own sake was not his life's objective. He touched our hearts because of his humanity to man, not just on Sunday, but seven days a week.

"In conclusion, I would like to quote a passage from a letter written by St. Paul to the early Christians which I think exemplifies Johnny's outlook:

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all thing, hopes all things, endures all things...

"We will miss you, Johnny. May your soul rest in peace."


[I have made some minor changes and edits to this lyrical piece; however any errors or omissions are mine--pjm
Thanks again to Priscilla L. and Virginia B. for all their efforts in getting this published.]