Joseph Eduardo Evelyn's Obituary
Joseph Eduardo Evelyn 72, passed away November 7th, 2014. Joseph was born in Rainbow City, Panama. He is survived by his wife Alicia, and two children Joseph Jr., and Tasha Evelyn; Brothers Frankie and Harry, and his sister Elma Evelyn; Along with three grandchildren, Anissa Byer, Taralyn Decker, and Brooklyn Evelyn. Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in DeBary. Joseph was a loving husband and father and a great family man. His hobbies included golf, horses, boating and fishing.
Visitation will be held at Baldauff Funeral Home, 1233 Saxon Blvd. Orange City, on Monday November 10th, 2014 at 5:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday November 11th at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 26 Dogwood Trail, DeBary at 11:00 AM.
We would first like to thank all of you in attendance for taking the time to share in our celebration of our father's life.
He was a man of many accomplishments that believed that through hard work all things were possible.
He was truly the most nonjudgmental and kind hearted person I've ever known. He always tried to see the best in people and no matter how bleak the situation always seeked out the tiniest glimmer of hope.
My father was born in Rainbow City Canal Zone on July 20th, 1942. At the age of 21 he had a chance meeting with a girl he had first come across five years prior. He told her that night at a party that she was the one he would marry, and just as he confidently predicted many of his life's successes, so too did it come to pass that on March 20th, 1964 they wed and later had a daughter, me Tasha and a son, my father's name sake known affectionately as Joey. He was a loving and devoted father and husband. In March of 2015 he would have been married 50 years, and in the course of those years was blessed to watch as his family grow. He relished in his role as a grandfather of three. He had two granddaughters from his daughter, Anissa and Taralyn, and most recently a granddaughter Brooklyn from his son. He adored his children and grandchildren,
and selflessly gave of himself to provide and take care of his family.
Our father worked for Paine Webber later known as UBS for 33 years. I always found pride in telling his story and how he began his career in the mail room and worked his way up to vice president of the margin department, at a time when it was difficult for minorities to achieve any level of upward mobility in their chosen profession. My father's infectious laugh and cheshire like smile transcended racial barriers. The audience today is reflective of that. He was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus for 25 years. He was a deeply spiritual and religious man who walked by faith, and his profound trust in God was evident in everything he did.
My dad always said, all you have in this life is your name. He preached that nothing was more valuable than good character and lead by example. Always striving to be the
Best person he could be. I remember as a child having so much respect for him that the worst disciplinary action my father could perform, would be to simply say, "I'm disappointed in you." Those words would instantly trigger tears of shame and a desire to do better.
Daddy witnessed so much in his life and often mentioned his desire to write what he referred to as his memoirs...that is probably his one regret. That he never had that opportunity to finish. We would often discuss all the many historical events he witnessed throughout the years. How Sam Walton, founder of Walmart hula danced on Walstreet, the black out of 64 and 2003, the WTC bombing of 93 and how in 2001 his office in Weehawken NJ was positioned directly across the harbor from the World Trade Center giving him a firsthand account of the devistating tragedy that ensued....My father truly lived a full and prosperous life in which he never felt the need to question God's wisdom. I never heard my father utter a negative word. He found the positive in everything. Even as he neared the end of his life, speaking to him, one would have no inclination of his failing health. He remained upbeat and optimistic, having more regard for our feelings than his own. My father never wanted to be considered a burden, the thought of that I believe pained him more than anything. Daddy had such an enormous heart, that was too big for his body to manage. I chose to believe that this is what ultimately led to his demise. I remember as a child when my father would take me to Eisenhower Park in NY to learn to ride my bike on weekends, he would run behind me holding on and then when he thought I was able to manage on my own, he would let go without my noticing, but continue to run close behind me just in case I would fall...I found comfort in knowing he would always be there if I fell, ready to wipe away the tears. In his final days I feel that he again was holding on, wanting to come home to make sure we were able to manage on our own before letting go quietly in his sleep without us noticing, but is remaining close to comfort us if we fall. My dad's one request was to go with dignity. He passed just as he would have wanted to, in his home, peacefully resting in his bed. His face showed no signs of pain. I know he is in a better place reeping the rewards of a good life.
Daddy you will be deeply missed, you touched the lives of everyone who encountered your presence. Even those you briefly came in contact with during your daily errands were touched by the warmth you exuded. I know each one of us here has our own personal story of their relationship with our father and in celebrating his life I would ask that all of you who feel the desire to share please take this opportunity to come up and add to this experience. We would really appreciate if you could assist us in fulfilling our dad's wish by creating a spoken memoir today in his honor.
Thank you again for joining us and being of such comfort in our time of need, it brings us joy to know how much our father was loved by so many.
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?