Unfortunately, I met Joe later in his life, when I moved across the street in 2007. It didn't take long though until Joe, Bella and I became fast friends. Bella well into her eighties, was always out in her garden, and I went over frequently to learn tricks and tips from a master gardener. I'll never forget her laughing and telling me how Joe tried to help her with the gardening but would always pull out the plants instead of the weeds, so she was happier gardening without his assistance. My first memory of Joe was being incredibly struck by his brilliant blue eyes--they were like tiny lighening flashes when he smiled, yet so warm, striking, and soft. I remember thinking with those remarkable eyes this man had to be incredibly handsome when Bella fell for him--because even in his eighties he was still a looker!
     Bella was definitely the more rambuncious one, while Joe had a quiet, comforting serenity about him that you so enjoyed being around. After Bella passed away, Joe I know was lost without her. She was his everything, best friend, nurse, cook, caretaker, she worried about him so much after his stroke and tried her best to give him the best quality of life possible. After Bella passed things were never quite the same for Joe, although he carried on so valiently. 
    There used to be a large spruce tree in front of their house--it was quite big and I'm sure Bella being such an avid gardener loved that tree. Right after she passed Joe had the tree cut down. I couldn't help laughing thinking Bella would go nuts Joe, if she knew you had cut this down, But Joe never one to rock the boat had probably patiently waited years to eliminate that tree. Now he could finally look out his front window and really see the street--probably something he has wanted to do for years. He also had sod put down in Bella's vegetable garden, an unthinkable act while she was still alive, but maybe he had always wanted a completely green back yard too! 
       After Bella passed, I used to drive him to the bank on Fridays, so he could buy that winning lottery ticket. Once I asked, Joe what will you do with all that money if you win it? "Don't you worry, I'll look after you,."  he said. And I know he meant every word. When Bella passed many of the neighbors would bring Joe food since we knew Bella did most of the cooking, especially Leeanor next door, who was an amazing support to Joe. I asked him once if he had any allergies, or if there was any food he didn't like. "I'll eat anything," he said. "There isn't any food I don't like." And that was one of Joe's most endearing qualities. He was so appreciative of everything--never ever complained. He would always promply return my plastic food containers, usually the next day, clean and washed, often with a few candies to say thank you. He was the sweetest man.
   There were times when I would look out my window, it would be the middle of a snowstorm, and Joe in his late eighties would be outside shovelling the entire driveway himself. Up to the very end, no one else did that job for him--regardless of how much snow we had--he was a real trooper. 
   I look across the street now with incredible sadness because I have lost two treasured friends so close together. Part of me knows that Joe and Bella are together again and that they are incredibly happy--so happy in fact that Bella probably didn't even yell at him for cutting down that tree or eliminating her  vegetable garden! For me that house at 38 Winnipeg street will always be Bella's and Joe's--their lives, their memories are so etched in its history. Bella told me that when they came from Winnipeg and saw that there was a Winnipeg Street in Etobicoke that's where Joe decided he wanted to buy his first house and they never left it. You will never be forgotten Joe. Every time I look across the street I will think of you with the greatest sadness, but with such wonderful memories of those magical blue eyes I fell in love with the first time we met. I will always love you. Your neighbour and friend across the street,
Marina.Quattrocchi xxxooo