Joseph Anthony "Joe" Prats

Joseph (Joe) Anthony Prats

Joseph (Joe) Anthony Prats-who liked to be called "Jose Antonio", sunk his final putt on Earth on October 21. He was 94.

Joe's game stopped just 14 months after the death of his wife, Grayce. This technically means that they are "together again," a term that both of them hated when they read it in the obits, a giggle like so many, that formed the core of their 72 years under the same roof. (Sorry Mom, we tried to give you your space.) But Dad was lonely.

He missed his dog Tasha and all the dogs before her, and the dozens and dozens of family and friends that, if we believe the stories, have already met him at the pearly gates. It is our hope that Dad's shooting below par and lining up for a birdie putt, much to the amazement of his good friend, Willie Ross, who's been waiting over 30 years to continue this round.

Yes, Dad was nothing if not a golfer, enjoying league play at Mayfair, Maplecrest and many Sunday morning "services" anywhere within a 30 mile radius of Akron and a jelly donut. He was also a bowler, starting the "Sad Sacks," when he was in his 20s and continuing to play, as long as he could, at the Jednota Club where he enjoyed his team, and of course, jelly donuts.

Dad was a 1938 graduate of North High, and a teenage owner of a Model T Ford. He started working at the Charles Rivitz Co. and progressed to be a salesman in the days of business suits, briefcases and long lunches. He enjoyed having a company car and keeping company with customers like Ted Shuman, while working at American Standard and later, Trumbull Supply. He retired at the introduction of computers, although learning, years later, that the "good for nothing" machines could help him when he was stumped by the Beacon's daily JUMBLE.

Dad rotated his pride at being Spanish and Italian, being a member of the Sons of Italy, Knights of Columbus and the Jednota Club (where he became an adopted Slovak). He loved to dance, especially polkas, sing along with Dean Martin and Sergio Franchi on the stereo, and laugh at his own stories as though he had never heard them before. Dad liked to eat, drink a good Godfather, and devour any flavor of ice cream. He never forgot his trip to Spain, his ride on the Goodyear blimp, or the SoapBox Derby run of his grandson. And, if Heaven is truly for real, he's probably really enjoying his siesta.

Dad was not only preceded in death by his wife but also by every member of his Prats family including sisters, Eugenia, Julia, Florence, Rose and brothers, Carl and Rocco, and of course, their parents. He leaves behind two daughters, Judi (Mike) Christy of Green and Joanna (Bill) Ross of Southside, Alabama. grandchildren, Heather (David) Swann and Brian (Angela) Ross of Alabama, as well as Erika Christy of Green and Zach Christy of Cleveland, and great-grandchildren, Hannah Swann (Alabama) and Steven Ross (Missouri).

The family wishes to extend special thanks for the kidding, kindness and care shared by the girls at Greenview Inn (City of Green) and Sterling House (Canton) - his homes away from home during his last year on Earth. Contributions can be made in Joe's memory to these organizations or to the Humane Society of Greater Akron.

Regrets, I've had a few -- But then again, too few to mention. FRANK SINATRA, My Way.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 24, 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, where the family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Please visit www.hummelcares.com to share memories and condolences.



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