Joseph Sophy Joseph
JOSEPH SOPHY JOSEPH
March 19, 1920 - February 6. 1999
Wheeling, WV - Detroit, MI
ELIZABETH "LEE" MARY (DYPE) JOSEPH
September 20, 1920 - March 1, 1985
Detroit, MI - Detroit, MI
Joseph Sophy Joseph is the second brother to be named Joseph. Victoria and Doumit lost an infant son Joe in 1918 at the age of six months. Situ struggled with what to name her next child, another son in 1920. It seems that heavenly intervention was needed as he was born on March 19th, the feast of St. Joseph. Hence the name was delivered by the angels. Uncle Joe was, among many things, the most talented with his hands. He crafted amazing wood works in his professionally appointed home workshop. I treasure several of his creations. As a family, we owe a serious debt to Uncle Joe as he was the family archivist. His films remain a true family treasure and were the lynchpin of many of the films that were produced using his footage. Uncle Joe was married to Aunt Lee for 45 years.
Life Lessons From Congress Street
This is a poem written as an accompaniment to the 1995 film TO CARRY THEIR FLAME which is also the title to this website. It spoke about Doumit and Victoria's journey to America, through Wheeling, West Virginia and eventually, to Detroit. It also recognizes the lessons we've learned from them and our parents while asking of their descendants "What will we teach?" "What fires burn?"
LIFE LESSONS FROM CONGRESS STREET
Each generation commands of the next -
Reach out your hand for me
and, from me, you will be sent forth…
As an arrow from the bow -
as a boat across the ocean -
as a ship soaring thru the cosmos…
It matters not
where the journey begins,
but where it connects…
what bridges it builds -
From the mountains of Lebanon
to the hills of West Virginia
and the streets of Detroit
he carried on his back
his dreams -
his livelihood -
and the survival
and the love
of his family
he built the bridge
for his sons and daughter
and they moved on (and up)
From the coal mines
to the flour mills…
From a world war
to the auto plants…
From Alley 18
to Congress Street
and beyond
they struggled - they listened - they learned
and family was the air they breathed
and love the lesson they gained…
…the bridge they built
for each of us to cross
and now we must reach out our hands
to embrace them…
to thank them…
to carry their flame.
What bridges do we build
for our children?
…what fires burn?
…what life lessons do we share?
Family…and love.