In loving memory of a very special family friend. We will miss you greatly Uncle Joe!  Laura Bane Bergin and Tresey Bane and family

In memory of our friend, your daddy, your granddaddy, and your great granddaddy, Joe Vona.

My memories of Joe are good ones. Joe had a sense of humor and a gentle spirit so he was always easy to talk to. Even the last two years were good memories for me. Bryant and I seemed to see Joe on his 'good days' and I would always enjoy talking to him. He was almost always smiling. And sometimes, when he wasn't in conversation, I noticed that he was thinking... paying attention to what was going on around him and contemplating. Of course we almost always talked about family... the loved ones we had in common. He was proud of his family and he said so with his eyes whenever he was talking of them. Anyone could tell what emotion Joe was feeling by reading his eyes. His feelings ran deep and he was honest with them.  

Almost always Joe would greet me the same way. He would say something like, "Hey lady."  "You been doing okay?" "How's that ole man of yours?" "Is he here?" "How's your family?"  "How are all the kids?" "How's Mama doing?"  And then Mama wasn't here anymore and he would say, "I sure do miss your mama; she was something else." I always believed Joe to be sincere in what he said and that he really cared about my family as well as his. He loved his family. Joe loved a lot and Joe was loved a lot. He left behind a lot of good memories, a lot of good friends, and a big family. That's why he will be sorely missed.
 
At Ashley and Toren's wedding, I sat by Joe at dinner and we talked a bit. What brought it up, I don't remember, but I said, "Well there's something else we have in common", and he asked what, and I said, "Jesus", and he said with a smile,"Now that's something I expected you to say".... kind of like all the rest was just small talk... which it was. To know that Joe is with Jesus is a gift. To know that Marty led him in the sinner's prayer is a gift. This might be the first Christmas that Joe won't be with you, his family, for Christmas but he left you all with the same great gift....the knowledge that you will see him again.... if you, too, believe in the saving grace and power of Jesus.

 I remember many good times with my brother in-law, and helping on the old
farm on the Intracoastal homestead in Jacksonville Beach-having many good meals with his Dad and Grandmother Vona. I know that my former wife Mary
(his sister) are both now united in Gods heaven.
 May the family find peace in knowing that they are once again together. Our
deepest sympathy- Regan,Janice, & Donna Askwith, Richard (Cole).

             AN UNWRAPPED GIFT 
Waking up on Christmas morning, the little girl had no doubt that while she was sleeping, Santa had come and delivered gifts for her, her two sisters, and young brother. We must have been really good this year! Look at all these presents! she thought, and surrounded by her family, she started tearing into the stockings and gifts. The Christmas tree was overly stuffed with ornaments and the entire room seemed to glow from all the tree's colored lights. As the morning wore on, joy and excitement seemed to build in the atmosphere and the family was content and cozy in their Florida home. But, Santa wasn't the only special guest the family would receive. For on his way was... 

Papa! all the children shouted with thrill as he entered the home. Hey baby, he responded as he greeted each of his grandchildren with a hug. Next was an eruption of voices as all four children chimed out for their Papa's attention. Look at this! See what Santa brought me! Isn't this cool Papa? Papa, can you open this for me? I want to play with it. He listened, he watched, and allowed himself to be pulled this way and thatnever minding the noisy commotion. Papa was a full-blooded Italian man. He was strong and his skin was darkened from working outdoors beneath the Florida sun. To those that might have seen him on the street but didn't know him, Papa might have appeared coarse; but the little girl knew nothing but kindness from this man and nothing but tenderness from his callused hands.     

Now, there was a huge box in the room. Not seeing how it got there and not knowing where it came from, the little girl and her siblings began to investigate and ask. What is this? What's inside? Who is it for? The little girl grew excited. The excitement level which had been building up within their home finally blew through the roof in the next few seconds. It's for all of us! It's from Papa! Let's open it! they decided. The box wasn't wrapped in fancy paper, in fact, no paper at alljust some tape at the top to keep the flaps from voluntarily opening. The little girl and her companions were delighted with what they found. The gift was special and fun for the girlit was neither extravagant nor an heirloom and yet as the girl grew up, she often remembered this particular Christmas day and the gift in the big box from her Papa. Why would she, you might ask, Why should she think back on such a plain box and simple gift? As the girl looked back, it was easy to seethe box was not wrapped with paper but with love and the gift was not mere trinkets for child's play; rather, the gift was her Papa, all bundled up to visit and see his family smile. Papa loved his family dearly and never hesitated to give of himself to see them happy. The little girl grew up knowing his love and never, for a moment, even thought to doubt it. 
Brooklyn Mickler
Dec. 7, 2016

Papa, I miss you! I miss your hugs and your smile! I miss our rummy games. And oh how I miss your many stories of earlier years! I miss our "Vona breakfast's", when we were done eating you would bring your fingers to your lips and pull them away and say"Muah some of the finest." I miss fishing in your pond in the Valley with our cane poles. I miss watching you work on your many projects in your barn. I miss asking you as a child every year on your birthday how old you were and you answering "I'm old as dirt". I have looked at my babies many times as they were sleeping and remember you saying how we (your grandbabies) always looked like angels when we slept. I miss playing with Joanie, while we watched you and Mr. Larry take care of your pig's. I miss the smell of you smoking your cigar or pipe. I miss you telling us kids to go and hide and you would come find us in a hour. But most of all Papa, I miss you! You have instilled in me a love for family, Italian food and the outdoors.Our family will not be the same without you, but I will always cherish these and so many more memories I have of you! I love you Papa!

Mr. Vona is my father in law. Either one of us new exactly what we were getting into when Lisa brought us together. I do know this Mr. Vona is going to be very missed.

When I was a little girl there was no better place than sitting on my Dad's lap and watching wrestling or going to Dunkin Donuts.  In my Dad's arms I always felt Loved and Special.  

I loved hearing his stories about his childhood which always revolved around family.  Family to him was most important and he instilled in me that same love. 

He wasn't a materialistic man but instead enjoyed the outdoors and tinkering or working on a new project.  If you had a project you wanted done, Daddy was your man and when he did it he was precise.  Even measuring and lining a garden bed.  

He was a hard working man and liked to stay busy.  Hard work was like breathing.  It was what you did.

He was great at listening.  It was normal for him to be talking to a friend or family member to wee hours in the morning.  He never begrudge it but enjoyed it.  

I am going to miss our Monday talks on the phone.  His warm embrace and his words of affection.  

I love you Daddy and I will miss you!!!! 

Sonia

My daddy went to be with the Lord on Sunday morning. I am hurting deeply and sad that he will not be with us anymore! But I am forever grateful and blessed that he asked the Lord to forgive him and save him and that he is in heaven! 
My daddy was the best dad to us and papa to his grandchildren! He loved us and loved spending time with his family 
We have spent the week looking through pictures and reliving the good times we have all shared! There were so many!
One of the many memories that I will always cherish are the 48 birthdays that daddy and I shared! He always told me that I was the best birthday present that he ever got. I am not sure how I will ever be able to celebrate our birthday without him
Thank you Lord for the daddy that you gave to me! I am so grateful!

Joe will be missed by all. He always had a special place in our hearts..R I P Joe.We will see you again in heaven..we love you Carolyn Tabor Linda B.n Ray V

OBITUARY

Joseph R. Vona

January 30, 1938 – December 4, 2016

Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens

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