Joseph E. Chavez

Joe's life began on April 1, 1972. He was a beautiful baby and he grew into a beautiful human being as an adult. Joe's sensitivity and compassion for others was often unsurpassed, yet often misinterpreted by others because of his burliness. He loved working out at the gym. It was partially due to his goodness and caring that the weight of the world became too great to bear and he succumbed to the enticing lure and subsequent destruction of alcohol and drugs. It was not his choice to live his life this way, as he made gallant efforts to make needed changes. Nor would it have been his choice to have his life taken from him in this manner. Joe loved his family and friends, and was able to become closer to his family this past year. Joe was an excellent builder, and had aspirations of attaining his contractor's license. His father taught him the basics, amongst other things, and Joe excelled in the work he did. He was proud of his work. He was so looking forward to being Uncle Joe, and experiencing the birth of his younger brother's first child. Joe was one who was not afraid to take risks, to step up to challenges and to go the extra mile to help others. He was a creative man, and intelligent man, and a man with a sense of humor sometimes not caught by all, which made it even funnier. He was careful in his decisions to respect others and to protect his integrity. He was loyal. Joe rocked my world and I, his mother, will be forever grateful to God for giving me a second chance, and for the gift of having Joe for 37 years. Joe is survived by his mother, Sharon Paulowsky, his father, Eddie Chavez, his brother, Vincent Chavez and his wife, Lisa and their child to be born in June. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Shirley Waterman and her husband Al, Joe's maternal uncle Randy and his sons, Branden and Derek Lansing, his auntie Madeline Cox and her children Jamie and Joe Michael and their families. His paternal aunt Beverly Floyd who faithfully stayed by Joe's side and held his hand, her husband, Gregg, their children Johnny and James, and Joe's cousins, Phillip and Chris Chavez. Joe's biological father is Paul Grenier, Joe's half brothers, P.J. and Jaime, along with aunts and uncles and cousins from the Grenier family, most of whom are in New York. Joe in some way maintained contact with them. Greg Taylor was Joe's best friend for over 20 years, he too is family. Of great importance, Joe is also survived by his dog, "Achilles Chavez" his loyal companion who loved Joe unconditionally and misses him greatly. Joe referred to Achilles as "my everything." Joe is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Amelia and Eddie T. Chavez, his uncle Phillip Chavez, his maternal grandfather Richard Lansing, and his great grandparents, Joe and Mabel Dickerson. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 at Getz Funeral Home with Fr. Sean Garrity of Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral officiating. The family is requesting that donations be made (in lieu of flowers) in Joe's name to Villa de Esperanza, 611 West Stevens Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220, in care of Joann Wales, (575) 885-1689. Please ask that your donation be credited to Joe Chavez's account. He would be pleased with this. It is important to remember the tragic means Joe's life on this earth ended, in hope of in some way helping someone else be able to prevent a similar situation from occurring. Joe would want to be able to make a difference and to help anyone he possible could just as he always has. Most importantly, let us remember to celebrate the life of Joe, to hold fasts in our hearts our memories of who he was and will in some way, always be. Let us also remember that he no longer is bound by the ravages of his addictions that chipped away at his spirit daily. He is now at peace. He is flying with the angels. He is free. PDF Printable Version