Joseph Hovat:  Joseph (Joko) Horvat passed away at home on Christmas Eve 2019 at age 74,  Visitation - Monday, Dec. 30th at 9:30 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 10:30 AM.  with Mass of Christian Burial.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Strawberry Hill Museum.  Joe was a devoted family man survived by is loving wife of 52 yrs, Sandy and his sons Joe Jr (Sandi) and Chris, as well as grandchildren Taylor, Andrew, Grace and Isabella, plus siblings Jimmy, Julie, Joanie and Janet.  Joe's love of country was exemplified in six years of US Army Reserves service and a lifetime of patriotism Joe was very proud of his Croatian heritage, carry on ethnic traditions prominent in the Strawberry Hill community.  Above all, Joe drew courage from his strong, devout Catholic Faith, to persevere through life's trials and tribulations.

For those who would like to know my father but did not get to meet him in this life, or those who want to cherish is memory and hear his voice again, watch this interview he and I did in 2012.  We spoke on a community program my department at JCCC produced, and discussed the artwork, and church alters my great grandfather made over a hundred years ago to honor God and beautify our church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  There is an artistic streak tat runs through my family ... on both sides.    

It was a little different for my being in front of the camera instead of behind it, but Dad was a pro and told me about one thousandth of the stories he could draw from, of life on Strawberry Hill in the Croatian community. Enjoy... 

Click to view video >>

And as inscribed on the church bell.  

"The Living I Summon, The Dead I Mourn, and

The Thunder I Disperse"