He was my "big" brother (daddy number 2) with the wonderful deep voice.  The one in charge when dad and mom were away, who took us to the movies and brought us treats.  The one who patiently helped his younger brothers build model cars and taught both his brothers and sisters to ride bikes.  The one who was always helpful, loving and willing to share whatever he had with us or those in need.  The one that I defended fiercely when neighborhood kids teased him because he was different.

Our relationship was that of brother and sister, but changed a bit in 2000, when I became his court-appointed legal guardian.  Agreeing to become Joe's legal guardian meant that Joe and I would relocate to the Atlanta metro area from Gainesville, Florida and Silver Spring, Maryland so that we could be in the same state.  My childhood memories of my big brother and love for him made the decision easy and I realized that this was my way of giving back to him.  And, he knew I would be there for him.

This new facet to our relationship made me care giver, a big responsibility.  However, I embraced it because the thought of what could happen to him if he did not have someone to help him was unimaginable.  This meant going to all his medical appointments and ensuring that he was properly clothed and fed.  Joe's strength of character was awesome.  I watched him fight to maintain a fit body and try to counteract the toxic medications he had to take by exercising daily.  When exercise was not enough, he changed his eating habits and became a vegetarian.

Joe's passions were his love of family, jazz music and reading.  He never missed an opportunity to ask about each sibling by name and what was happening in their lives.  He had all the local jazz stations pre-set on his radio.  He would listen to and could easily identify jazz tunes playing on the radio or hold his own in conversations about the jazz greats!  His favorite jazz piece was Ceora by Lee Morgan.  To say that he was an avid reader is an understatement.  Joe had a voracious appetite when it came to books.  He easily read 10 to 20 plus books each year!

When our mother transitioned in 2007, Joe observed that she was not afraid to go.  He then seemed to fixate on transitioning.  I sometimes believe that he willed himself to go.  Joe lost interest in life.  He withdrew into himself, rejecting many of the things that gave him pleasure -- eating the foods he loved, exercising, listening to the jazz stations on the radio, playing chess, reading, speaking to those in his circle, and walking.

Overall, it was a pleasure being Joe's "little sister" and legal guardian.  I will miss and treasure his wonderful deep voice, humor and love for his entire family!  I loved him then and now.

Thanks for the journey and enjoy your freedom Joe!

Joe

The earliest memories I have about Joe, or the Prosper boys, were of the tall skinny boys at the end of the street.  I also recall Joe and his pipes as he strolled on the avenue, "Joe Kool," as some of us perceived.

Later in life, the one thing that allowed us to bond was Jazz, his appreciation and taste in the genre.  We had conversations on the live gigs he caught that included Miles, Mingus and Art Blakie.  He settled on "Ceora" by Lee Morgan, as one of his favorite tunes and Morgan himself as one of his most liked Trumpeters.

An avid reader with an excellent voice and diction, Joe could have well played the part of an English aristocrat.  Or maybe he did!

RIP Joe

Remembering Uncle Joe

To be quite honest, I haven't spent as much time with Uncle Joe as many of my other relatives, however, in many ways I have.  Though this may seem contradictory, the few memories I have of my Uncle are of greater impact than hundreds I share with various others.  Such a simple and plain memory of sitting outside on a spring afternoon playing chess, for example, will never be forgotten.  In this respect, Uncle Joseph Prosper is forever immortalized.  Despite the fact that he's no longer with us, our memories, whether extensive or simple, will in fact allow him to be among the living.

My personal memory of my oldest brother Joe is of him saving me out of the apartment that I was locked up in.  The door to one of the rooms was sealed shut and I could not for the life of me get the door opened.  As a young child, I started to cry because I couldn't get out.  Some of my other brothers and sisters tried to get me out to no avail, however, Joe came in from work and kicked the door and it opened, freeing me from my ordeal.  I was forever grateful to him for that.  In addition to being my brother he was also my "godfather!"  At that particular point in time he was my personal "hero!"

These are my remembrances of Joe¦ 

...he'd walk into the room and command attention with that deep, resonant voice of his

...he had such a love for reading; I never forgot how he once asked Celea to tell him when she got to any love scene in a Harlequin romance book she was reading, and how he would laugh when she did

...his deep, infectious laughter would always put a smile on my face

...the way he would read the dictionary was funny, yet admirable

...he also had a love for chess and card games like canasta and spades, the latter of which he taught me

...he was so disciplined when it came to exercising, cleaning and drinking a glass of water after every meal and before going to bed at night

...he'd never fail to ask how I, or Ewan, was doing

...he was my oldest brother, Joey, the JEM (gem)

I remember Joe taking me to and from the head-start program at Saints Peter & Paul, sometimes stopping at "The Green-Door Shop" to buy us some of that delicious coconut bread with the raisins (lawd have mercy!).

Joe introduced me to jazz with his Herp Albert & The Tijuana Brass albums. Then later on came my intro to classical jazz from the likes of Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine, and others.

I started doing crossword puzzles, like him, to improve my vocabulary.

I recall his wonderful story-telling, his British accent, and great sense-of-humor.

He also showed tremendous discipline in doing his push-ups and sit-ups every morning without fail.

Recollections of Joe

A couple memories of our departed brotherâ€¦

I recall Joe's straightforward and sincere advice to me, â€œJohnny, never marry until you are 40.â€  The idea was to avoid marital commitment until one had gained enough experience to see another's heart clearly, especially with life's greatest human bonding in mind.

There was another time when we were really young.  Joe was still in high school.  Although he was a mite short for his age, he exuded such a quiet, dominant strength it more than compensated for any perceived vertical handicap.  The neighborhood guys were racing their go-carts down the street that day.  I noticed Joe peering very intently at one of the carts.  Suddenly, without any hesitation, he strode boldly onto the street and grasped the steering cords of the cart he had been staring at, paying no mind to the surprised and disgruntled driver/rider.  He dragged the cart into our front yard, followed by over two dozen screaming, angry young males.  With slow deliberation, he raised his head and swept the masculine crowd coolly with his eyes.  He said in a quiet voice that brooked no argument, â€œSomeone stole my new wheels the other day.  I recognize these as the ones I bought.  They are mine.â€  With the crowd of onlookers staring on in shocked silence, he patiently removed his stolen wheels from the cart and returned the now-crippled cart to its rider.  This was just a simplistic, but very real application of the thought of always doing what is right, despite any unpopularity or strength of opposition.

Remembering Joe

How I remember Joey is his deep voice but, soft speaking tone.  His great big laugh and wicked sense of humor.  I can also remember the talks we use to have sitting on the porch about what he wanted out of life.

I remember visiting him at the cigar store where he worked downtown on my way home from school.  Joey was really just a kind and caring person and I'll always cherish the times we spent together.

Please accept my deepest condolences on Joseph's passing.  He was one of my closest friends at Sts. Peter & Paul School, and he often came to my home (along with his younger brother Neville and other classmates) to race slot cars.  His kind and friendly demeanor will be missed.  God's blessing to him and his family.

Lorna and Johnny, our deepest sympathies and condolences on the loss of your brother, Joseph Edwin Malcolm Prosper.   We just recently saw the obituary in the Virgin Islands Daily News.  Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and the rest of the family.  Much love and respect,

My condolences to Joe's family.  His sister Lorna and I have been life-long friends and Mrs. Prosper was like a second mom to me.

My thoughts and prayers are with Joseph and his family and friends.  I certainly hope to see you again in the presence our our Lord and Saviour, along with many of our brothers and sisters that you touched while on this earthly journey.  May God keep blessing you...

Dwighd (Gaithersburg MD, and Worcester MA)

I would like to offer my condolences to Joe's family on his passing.  I have very fond memories of many philosophical conversations about education with Joe during my time in St. Thomas.  His insight was always appreciated and, of course, his everpresent pipe added gravity to his words.

Joe Trunk

OBITUARY

Joseph E. Prosper

August 31, 1948 – February 23, 2012

Tara Garden Chapel

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