Joseph Patrick Starr Jr.

Joseph Patrick Starr Jr. loved to feel the weight of a full basket of summer berries in his arms.  It was never a burden, his hands stained and rough from picking, the tiring of his arms signaling a day of perfection and hard work, and the sun warmed juice on his tongue a sweet reward.  Born on March 6, 1960 he came into the world on an early spring breeze that ebbed and flowed between a tingling chill and Heaven; same as the day, April 15, 2019, he died 59 years later.  Joe spent most of his life with worn and stained hands.  They smelled of the sun and fruit, the waters he fished, the woods in which he hunted, the animals he befriended, of leather and sweat, the tang of phosphorus, and the vanilla of old hymnals.  His hands carried with them the fragrance and wear of a life well lived.  And these scents have become the wellspring of his new being- a reverie in the hearts, minds, and olfactory systems of those saying goodbye for now.  Joe’s father, Joe Moses, and sisters, Jan Starr and Dora Starr, all went ahead to scout the way towards more beautiful and important wonders.  Those left to tell his story, to pick the summer fruits, and say his name fondly at gatherings are his beautiful daughters Dora Faye Watlamet (Brant) and Joselene Precious Starr (Nash); his kind sons Harvey Lee Starr, Joseph William Starr, Veron Cultee, Kanum Cultee, and Lawrence Hatch; his six amazing grandchildren; his loving mother Bernadine Napyer; his brother George Starr; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and lifelong friends.  The April wind is curling through the trees, singing a song only Joe can hear, and it says welcome home.

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