He was born on November 12th, 1930 in Kerala, India. He moved to the land of his favorite poet Walt Whitman to be with his children and grandchildren. His wish in life was to be with them when he passed.
Josey as he was lovingly called by his wife was married to his beloved Kalpana Joseph for 54 years. Their romance and deep love was inspiring and triumphed over all the challenges that life threw at them. He was very lovingly taken care of by his wife, Kalpana for the past 5 years as his health took a downturn. Her fierce and detailed caregiving sustained him for these past few years. She was able to cater to every need and preemptively ensure that he had the very best possible care, till his last breath. Their love will endure forever.
E.X as he was affectionately called by his friends, was a dreamer. He was respected, admired, and loved by all who met him due to his ability to unconditionally love those he met. His laughter, wide smile, and welcoming demeanor would put everyone at ease and make them feel special. E.X was well known across India as a Labor Leader of the working class. He dreamed and fought for change for the labor unions. Sacrificing his own leadership when at one point the Indian Government said that they would agree to the Labor Union’s demands only if he stepped down as its leader. He immediately stepped down. It takes immense belief and faith in the greater good to set aside the heady power of leadership. A true leader is one who can step aside if it benefits the end goal. He had that selfless devotion to the cause of helping the thousands of workers who were trying to get better pay and benefits. He was the darling of those he represented. Everywhere he went he was plied with love, food, and care. It is in meeting and bonding with people far and wide that he was able to strengthen his character and his dream for the ordinary human being. When he stepped down to make way for the Labor Union’s demands to be met, he moved on to his other passion of writing. He became the editor of Krishna Menon’s weekly newspaper called ‘The Century’. He loved being in the midst of the busy printing machines and using his mastery over verbiage to encourage the labor movement in India. When the newspaper was disbanded after Krishna Menon’s death, he went back to school at the age of 45, and got a law degree and became an Attorney. He then spent night and day, fervently working to right the wrongs for those who the government or private employers had wronged. There were many nights when even at midnight there would be people waiting patiently to meet with him to get him to fight their cause. Over the years, as he became a Senior Advocate and Senior Standing Counsel at the Supreme Court and High Court of India, he would be a dashing champion of the underdog.
Lion Uncle (or Simhan Uncle) as he was admiringly called by his friend’s children, was a story teller with the tallest tales. His tales were that of Ulysses’s exploits and Lions that ruled the forest. Many evenings were spent with children at his feet, mouth agape while listening to his stories. The laugh that came from his heart and belly would resonate and send the children into peals of laughter. These children are now grown adults who very fondly remember how he filled their childhood with the magic of storytelling and gave flight to their imagination.
E.X or Josey or Lion Uncle, is surrounded in spirit and in person by his loving family. His wife Kalpana, daughters Kavitha and Priya, sons-in-law Sathya and Ken, and grandchildren Ammu, Anju, Samika, and Sanjay, will forever love, treasure, and carry him in their hearts, minds, and breaths.
The Celebration of Life for E.X Joseph will take place at 4pm in the afternoon on Saturday, July 27th 2024 at the Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home. A dinner reception will follow the conclusion of the service at the Farmhouse in the grounds of the same funeral home.
Join us in person or in spirit to celebrate the life of a very unique human being who lived his life with pure joy and unbiased acceptance.
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