To view his 7th year Tribute Click Here

The inspiration of this site, my life was my father. He was a first generation Lincoln Parker and loved this city.

Quote:

Dearest Dad:

A Father's love so strong and tightly bound
Six years have passed since you've been gone but memories of you have carried on.

Your grieving Daughter will always remember -
The love and comfort you generously rendered.

An empty chair; no cigars are burning
At the time the smell was overwhelming and now it's missed with such a yearning.

No more bickers about how much you watch hockey, football, or bowling on TV
Now I watch these sports to keep you near me.

No more long walks with your cigar in hand,
No more sitting on the deck - getting a tan.

No more vacations to Las Vegas where you let your hair down -
just a memory of a great man who was well known around town.

Many still miss their good friend, ole "Smokey Joe" and some still ache to the very soul.

You are a loved man by so many in Lincoln Park -
your daughter continues to carry a broken heart.

The memories of you will be remembered for sure your daughter and friends are making that true.

It has been seven years since you were taken away, but memories of you are here to stay.

In your life you loved me so well and completely and I know in my heart when I finally pass you will be there to greet me.

My oath to you to keep your memories in our minds is my oath in life and I will continue for all time.

Smokey Joe was an icon in our little City -
loved by all. So when you walk our streets, walk them standing tall.

He may be gone from our sites but he is still here and he would want us to care for our city and walk with no fear.

Dad, I won't let anyone forget the great man, friend, and father that you were in life.

With all my love,
Your Daughter - Robin and grandchildren

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"Sometimes we must serve in order to lead"
by Unknown

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Lupin (08-19-05), Mayday (08-19-05), Veritas Scriptor (08-19-05)

Did anyone here ever have the pleasure of meeting Smokey Joe? He was a really good man and loved by many.

I remember being a little boy in California...and the ladies at the grocery store knew who my grandfather was. My mom got pulled over on the way to work one morning...and my grandfather knew the officer. This was in California...and my grandfather lived in Michigan. He was a very good man who took the time to get to know everyone around him...no matter where he was. When I moved to Michigan in high school...even some of the students and teachers knew my grandfather.

I got arrested when I first moved here (curfew violation, I was walking home 15 minutes after the curfew and didn't know there was one)...and the officers in the precint knew my grandfather. I recently went into R&R Auto Clinic on Fort Street...and asked them if they knew my grandfather (he used to live right down the street from R&R). When I mentioned the name "Joe Lyson"...they weren't sure. But when I said "Smokey Joe", they knew exactly who he was. Everyone knew him by Smokey Joe.

I have very fond memories of my grandfather. I remember him being an extremely kind man who never raised his voice to anyone. The one time I remember him being angry was when a salesman ripped my mother off in California. He was livid. But that's the only time I remember him being angry...and it was for good reason.

I have memories dating back to when I was two years old and living in Texas...and my grandfather was there. There aren't any childhood memories I can conjure up that don't include him. He was with me through my through whole life...up until I was 18. That's when he left us.

I miss him all the time. He was always good to talk to...and he put up with my incessant questions about how the world worked and why things are they way they are. He never got frustrated with me for asking too many questions...I think he really enjoyed having me around. And there isn't a day that goes by still that I don't wish things were different...that I still had him to talk to.

I don't like to show too many emotions to people...so I will say thank you to my mom here for keeping his memory alive.

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VS - your grandfather in some ways sounds like my grandfather. All the ladies at the local grocery store in Pennsylvania knew my grandfather too! I can relate to your memories.

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Veritas Scriptor (08-21-05)

Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories with us, Robin and VS. I'm sure Smokey Joe would be proud to know that his daughter and grandson captured some of what you thought was so special about him in yourselves.

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"I'm sick and tired of hearing things from uptight, short sighted, narrow minded hypocrites. All I want is the truth, Just gimme some truth"

- John Lennon

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Veritas Scriptor (08-21-05)

Thank you all for the kinds words....I still miss him....Doing these tributes help.

BTW: I didn't realize that I used an unconverted sound file which made the download horribly long.

I have converted the sound and uploaded it for those who didn't want to wait an hour for the puppy to download....the size is now approx 4.5mb versus 28mb

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Veritas Scriptor (08-21-05)

As a parent one can only hope to have done as good a job with their kids a Smokey Joe did with his! Smokey was also known here in AP by many of us "old timers".

Rest in Peace old friend, you done good!

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Believe half of what you hear and none of what you read, especially in the News Herald!

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Veritas Scriptor (08-21-05)