ISAIAH 57:1-2
“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”

After 52 years with you, I bid you adieu today, till we meet again.
I trace our first encounter back to 1967 during our student days at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital. I was a student nurse at the Nursing Training College and you were a medical student at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS). I had accompanied my late brother Dr. Isaac Quarcoopome then Secretary of the Medical Students Association to a Medical School dinner dance. You were also in attendance and we were introduced…

That is the fateful day that I met my wonderful husband Joe. Later on, Joe in exhibiting his creative nature, would come around, in the company of his friend, Papa Nii Mettle to the various departments I worked in. He would come to see me during patient visiting hours as the workload would be minimal allowing us some time to socialize. One of my favourite memories is at his graduation. It was a delight to see him make multiple trips to the stage to receive his awards; sometimes with him not making it to his seat before he had to turn around to receive the next one.

Our relationship blossomed and culminated in our marriage on 4th September 1971. Right from the onset of our married life, it was obvious that Joe was extremely passionate about our shared dedication to the care of the sick and we had to find our common ground for the establishment of our family unit. To me, he was a multi-faceted man – strong-willed and determined in life especially in his academic pursuits.

Joe left the shores of Ghana in 1974 to continue his specialist studies at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada where he proved himself as exceptionally competent by completing the regular 5-year program in 4 years to attain his pediatric Fellowship. His love for his nation and pride to be an African, and most especially a Ghanaian drove his deci- sion to turn down job offers after graduation. In June 1978, he completed his studies and immediately relocated us back to Ghana by the end of July 1978 to embark on his long-lasting medical profession at UGMS and Korle-bu Teaching Hospital.

When we had each of our children, Joe was delighted. He was a wonderful father to them, and I watched him show them off, especially when they were awarded prizes in school. When faced with challenges, Joe was always there to help them pick up the pieces and sort things out. It was always a joy to watch the mutual respect and love they all had for each other. His love for children would continue to be evidenced in his easy adaptation to the role of a grandfa- ther when the time came.
 
Joe’s greatest strengths were his ability to make everyone feel comfortable, secure and loved. His joviality and good nature attracted people the moment he walked in a room, and no one could forget his raucous and conta- gious laugh.
These were not his only attributes, he was also a hard-working and generous man, sometimes to a fault. Not only was he com- mitted to his job, with its long working hours, he was also committed to giving back to the community. His priority was always how to get the job done. Even whilst a patient himself, he sometimes paid for the medication of fellow patients and offering words of upliftment.
 
Joe, we promised each other on our wedding day that “for better for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part…”, we would be there for each other. We weathered the storms of life and shared in many moments of joy through the steadfast presence of the Lord. You did not have it easy for the past few years, healthwise, yet you plodded on and even joined the med- ical students on their wards to continue imparting knowledge.. Your strong will and determination meant that you never gave up despite your worsening health situation. For the last couple of months, I was by your hospital bedside from morning till late evening, praying for a miracle that you would bounce back and be discharged – with the use of one of your nine cat lives as you had done in recent times. However, God’s ways are not our ways. He needs you even more and wants you by His side.
I thank God for your life, and for allowing me to walk this life with you.
 
Joe, Ataa Odai, - Adieu, Farewell - you have fought a good fight. I know you are in heaven now and have found peace and I know you are looking down at us with a big smile on your face saying, “Forge ahead – make the best of life until we meet again one day.”
Goodbye for now, Joe. Rest in perfect peace. YAA WO ODZOGBANN