Joseph Vail Obituary
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Nancy Flores
December 15, 2024
Still think of you after all these years and miss you dearly, Joe.
Nancy
AcA
July 16, 2024
Think of you often. We miss you dearly, Poohpa.
Karen Collymore-Simmons
June 17, 2009
Still thinking of you...you believed in people--in all people...I'll never forget your spirit, your grace, your smile!
nancy flores
June 16, 2009
It is hard to believe that it's been almost a year since the passing of this very special man. Joe was such an extraordinary being who completely touched my life. I only wish we had had more time with him.
Not a day goes by that I don't think of you Joe. I am so thankful to have known you. You truly touched my heart.
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Yolanda Ayala
June 15, 2009
To this date and forever Joe will always be in my prayers. Not only was he my boss but also a very special friend. Joe will always have a special place in my heart.
I learned a lot from him and having known him has been a blessing.
I know that from Heaven Joe is watching over us.
My family and I will never, never forget you Joe!
Sean Devlin
August 17, 2008
I was very saddened to learn today that Joe Vail had passed away this summer. I met him 40 years ago through his brother, Michael, and remember what a great guy he was and how well respected Joe was by everyone who knew him. I recall that he attended Sacred Heart School, that he was a St. Joe's Prep grad and that when Michael and I were involved in a school speech contest Joe would weigh in with some kind suggestions. I remember when he would either hitch hike or drive up to Scranton and later to Seton Hall law school. Joe worked for a brief time at the Thriftway supermarket in Manoa, bagging groceries and stocking shelves. I recall all of this because when I lived in Manoa, Joe showed us all a way to move up and out, making a positive contribution to all he met along the way. While I took a different career path in the law, I recall Joe Vail as a great guy and, from the passages in the Guest Book, it is apparent that this sentiment is shared and held my many more. I extend my condolences to Joe's mom, his family, and siblings.
Aleyda Alvarenga
July 25, 2008
My goodness, after reading these beautiful entries I am all the more thankful to G-d for bringing such a magnificent man into my life.
“Asi alumbre nuestra luz delante de los hombres, para que vean nuestras buenas obras, y glorifiquen a nuestro Padre que esta en los cielos.” San Mateo 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
I miss you, Joe.
Melanie Vicknair
July 14, 2008
When we stop and think about it we realize that each of us creates a ripple effect when we do a good deed for someone who in turn does a good deed for someone else who does a good deed for someone else and so on until the ripple gets wider and wider. When you think of someone like Joe Vail you might think of something more like a tidal wave if you consider all the future generations that will be impacted by the influence he had on his clients, the students he mentored and the two beautiful women he helped to raise. Joe was someone who lived by example, and in so doing, left us a legacy for which we can always be grateful.
I will always remember, appreciate and cherish my friendship with Joe.
Barbara Stalder
July 14, 2008
As a former student I am deeply saddened by his passing. I do not know how to express the imprint Joe Vail has left on my life. His wisdom, compassion, and humor inspired me and challenged me to be a better person and lawyer. He was and always will be the consumate public interest lawyer.
Diane McManus
July 9, 2008
We will be so much the poorer without him. He was one of the good guys. I cannot believe we won't be seeing that wonderful grin.
Catherine Whitmore
July 4, 2008
My memories will always be fond ones and my respect unequivocal. As a student he mentored and as a lawyer he contined to mentor and always with focus and strength and warmth. His students and his clients all felt the committment. Thanks for being there when you were needed.
David Swallow
June 27, 2008
My heart goes out to Prof. Vail's family for their loss. He was an inspiration to me and definitely one of the "good guys".
Clarease Yates
June 27, 2008
My Beautiful Friend and Colleague,
I will miss your warm and quiet friendship. I do believe that you were an Earth Angel. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to walk and talk with you while you were here among us.
Sisterly Love, Clarease
Ed Prudhomme
June 25, 2008
Joe helped me to always respect the client presently in front of me as the most important client I ever represented. He, like Sam Williamson, always reminded me to read the Act and the Regs that pertained to my case one more time before I opened my mouth. Thanks, Ed Prudhomme
Jade Chou Koo
June 24, 2008
My experiences at the immigration clinc was the best part of my law school education. Professor Vail is a loving, kind and an inspiration to us all. I respect him so much! I know he is in a better place now.
Mehran Talabi
June 24, 2008
Thank you for your generosity in sharing your vast knowledge of immigration law. It was a true blessing to know you and work with you; to call you a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. I will miss our conversations.
Mani Alavi
June 24, 2008
I was lucky enough to know Professor Vail, during my time in the Immigration Clinic. I truly enjoyed his positive attitude and admired the amount of compassion he had for everyone around him. He made an impact on my life as he had on so many others. Thank you for being such a great man.
Bruce Godzina
June 24, 2008
Professor Vail, it is one of the highlights of my life to have met you. During the immigration clinic days, we met once a week to go over the progress of my cases, but the guidance you gave me was applicable to how one should conduct himself in this life. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Trisha Teofilo
June 24, 2008
I had the good fortune of getting to know Joe through my work at Catholic Charities. He let me sit in on his class at U of H and was always just a phone call away whenever I had a question about a case. I last spoke to him in April '08 when, after undergoing surgery his voice had a strong sense of hope and fortitude. He was a true saint to so many people and his legacy will live on forever.
Betti Acton
June 21, 2008
With deepest sympathies to Joe's family, friends & the many other people whose lives he touched. I met Joe many years ago through his friendship with my brother. Seeing the picture of him and reading so many wonderful things about him brought me back many, many years. Rest in peace, Joe!
Tuch
June 21, 2008
Dear Joe,
Last night we all paid our respects at your viewing. Friends for more than 50 years and we never realized how accomplished you were. To us you were and will always be Josie Vail from the "corner" in Manoa.
They say that success is measured in the legacy that a person leaves behind. Judging by the pages and pages of memories and expressions of sympathy your passing has generated, you have spelled success with a capital "S".
You are an example to all. You had all in the right order. God, Family, Work. You were there for everyone no matter what time or what circumstance. Last night and today and always we will be there for you.
I am sad we won't have our birthday talks any more, but I have a new angel to pray to and for. If you don't get through those Pearlie Gates, there is no hope for us!
From my family to you Joe and the Vail family. May you rest in peace! Until the day we meet and I know we will, I love you Joe.
Marie McGrath
June 21, 2008
My deepest sympathies to the entire Vail family. I have known Professor Vail for only a short time but I feel privileged for the encounter and impact he has had not only on myself but the enitre University of Houston Law School.
Janice Oviatt
June 20, 2008
To Joe Vail's Family:
I was lucky enough to have Joe assigned as my mentor when I took my first pro bono asylum case. I was unsure of myself and very worried that my work fell far below the mark necessary to save my client. After I asked Joe to review the finished application, his words of praise calmed my fears and gave me the courage to go forward. My client's asylum was granted. What he did for me was an example of just one of Joe's many gifts - his ability to somehow know what each person needed and to meet that need. And I saw him do this over and over.
It seems clear to me that he was a treasure, merely on loan to us for a short time. The loan is over and he has gone back to the place from whence he came. But his brief time among us has left us enriched with a strength we would have never known . . . but for him.
I thank God that our paths crossed and I will hold him in my heart forever.
Rex J. Ford
June 20, 2008
It is great honor to be remembered by so many former students whose lives you have touched. We will miss you Joe always at the Immigration Court. Godspeed!
Scott Bostwick
June 20, 2008
Joe was a fine man and was always very helpful and kind to anyone he met, including myself. He will be very missed. Thanks, Joe.
Jackie Pontello
June 20, 2008
Dear Vail Family,
Thank you for sharing an incredible man with the rest of the world! So many of us who work for the poor and the vulnerable draw our inspiration and our strength from Joe's example. Joe is generous to his core... generous with his time, with his considerable intellect and talent, and with what seemed like a bottomless well of human compassion. He shall always be my hero.
Janet Beck
June 20, 2008
I remember calling Joe at 7:15 am before my first immigration court hearing in the early 90's. Instead of hanging up, like a normal person would have, Joe role-played the hearing with me. That's the kind of guy he was. During his life he helped thousands of people. That's the kind of guy he was. He was always a fighter- he just lost the last battle- but what a battle it was--typical Joe going to work, running in the park, not complaining. That's the kind of guy he was. We will all miss him.
Michael A. Olivas
June 20, 2008
My friend and UHLC colleague Professor Joe Vail died this week, after a long battle with cancer. He was a well-known practitioner, immigration judge, and law professor, and rose to prominence in each of these capacities. He was the founding director of the UHLC Immigration Clinic.
I was blessed to have had a long personal and professional relationship with Joe. My wife (Tina Reyes) directed a Houston poverty program in the 1980's and hired Joe to his first lawyer job, following his VISTA service. We tried cases together, taught students together in classes and clinics, and as recently as this April, served on many professional panels together. As his health worsened, I agreed to cover his class this Fall. I will do so now with a heavy burden, leavened only by my love and admiration for him.
His courageous medical struggle, which lasted over several years, was yet another example of a teaching moment to his students and friends. We will fill his position at UHLC, but we will never replace him.
Michael A. Olivas
University of Houston Law Center
Yanpin Yang
June 20, 2008
Whenever I had questions, Professor Vail was always the first person that I would turn to for help. He was a great mentor and role model, and will be missed forever.
Mark Lee
June 20, 2008
I'm privileged to have known this extraordinary man. Rarely is the depth of a person's intellect equally matched by the size of his heart. May peace be with you, Joe, and with your family.
Gloria Jasso
June 20, 2008
Joseph enriched my life in so many ways. He will remain in my heart together with the music he loved. This "Brown-eyed girl" is so lucky to have known you.
Pam Barnett
June 20, 2008
Dear Vail Family: You are in my prayers at this sad time. Joe was one of the first immigration attorneys I met in 1987 when I began practicing immigration law and he was always a friend and mentor to me and so many other attorneys. We will hold him and you in our hearts.
Pam Barnett
Sandra Gastanaduy-Collison
June 20, 2008
Dear PV:
I can't begin to tell you how much I miss you. You were a true mentor and good friend. Your spirit and example will always be a guide to me and to many others who have had the privilege to know you and to have been taught by you. Your family is in my prayers and I thank them for the picture - its exactly how I remember you always. Keep an eye out for us Masterhopper.
Carla Burkhard
June 20, 2008
Judge Vail was an incredible mentor who taught me so much about how to be a good immigration attorney and a good, compassionate human being. His respect for everyone who appeared before him and his incredible intellect are two of his lasting legacies and things I aspire to. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who loved him.
Sandy Thompson
June 20, 2008
Joe was one of my colleagues. He spoke for immigrants. Joe often gave media interviews in English and fluent Spanish. He wrote op ed pieces and trained students to defend immigrants in court. He was a leader and a friend.
Lily Hoang
June 20, 2008
Professor Vail, thank you for your inspiration, kindness, and compassion. We will miss you greatly. May you rest in peace.
nancy flores
June 19, 2008
No words can express the impact Joe had on my life. This man holds such a dear place in my heart and I will always be grateful for the father-figure he was to me for many years.
Joe, I truly love you and will never forget you.
martin
June 19, 2008
Mr Vail, You dont know me but I met you and have seen you at several Immigration Seminars. Your interest in sharing your knowledge is beyond expectations. You have helped a lot just by being there. Your departure is a loss to the millions of immigrants who you could have helped. Heres hoping that in Heaven where you are headed, they are more welcome to immigrants than what is happening now in the US of A.
John Douglas
June 19, 2008
Professor Vail was an invaluable source of support, expertise and friendship during a number of complex immigration cases. Because of his suggestions I know I won many cases. He was one of the best! He is deeply missed.
Joe, thank you for all that you of done for so many. May you rest in peace.
Kamran Makhdoom
June 19, 2008
"A gem of a person" is what I wrote about him at the time of graduation of my LL.M. in 2005. Not only a kind professor, but he was a very soft hearted individual who also thought the best for everyone. I am sure that those "aliens" who appeared before him during the course of their immigration proceedings owe him a lot for exercising his discretion and giving them the benefit.
I will surely try to give back to the society all that I have learnt from him.
Gloretta Thornton
June 19, 2008
Joe, Your spirit remains and will continue to guide and comfort us in your absence. I love you and I will miss you greatly. I know you are where we all aspire to be and I know you are well taken care of.
Doreen Dsouza
June 19, 2008
I have known Joe Vail since 1985, he used to share office space with Attorney Halim. He was a fun loving person always smiling and helful. May he rest in peace. Amen
Lydia Luna
June 19, 2008
My prayers and thoughts are with his family. I am very sorry to hear that my friend Joe has passed. I last talked to him when he was in Chicago about a month ago. Like Joe he had his same personality. I took this opportunity to let him know if he needed anything to let me know and that I loved him. He responded I love you too. I am deeply feeling your loss. Lydia Rivas-Luna
Hannah Sibiski
June 19, 2008
Joe Vail was a great person -- a true mentor, comrade, cheerleader, and friend. I am deeply saddened to hear of his death. He changed -- and saved -- the lives of his clients and his mentees' clients. I am so sorry he is gone.
Garrett White
June 19, 2008
Joe, we will miss you. Your unfailing kindness, concern, and involvement with and for your fellow human beings will always be remembered. --From a fellow Immigration Lawyer
Dilnaz Saleem
June 19, 2008
I am very sorry to have learned of this sad news. Joe Vail was a great inspiration to me and I will always value his teachings and guidance. My condolences to his family, and I will keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.
Farnoush Forotan
June 19, 2008
Professor Vail,
I will miss you and you will always be in my heart.
Rosemary Vega
June 19, 2008
Joe was such a good person and mentor. He will be deeply missed.
Beverley Brown
June 19, 2008
Mr. Vail always had a broad smile, a listening ear, and time to help. I was saddened to learn of his illness, and now his passing. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends who will forever miss him.
Aymara Lilienthal
June 19, 2008
Joe was a one-of-a-kind person who cared deeply for justice and preferred to fight for the underdog than don the robes of a judge. He will be greatly missed by all. The only comfort is knowing that he is in a wonderful place right now: I have no doubt he will continue to look over his loved ones and will spur his friends to continue the good fight. We'll miss seeing your smiling face, Joe. God Bless.
Ted Wu
June 19, 2008
My deepest condolences to Joe's family. I will always hold Joe in the highest regard as an attorney and valued friend.
Rick Gump
June 19, 2008
I am saddened by the death of a colleague who always had a smile and was ready to teach fellow lawyers and assist needy immigrants. I always enjoyed visiting with Joe, and he will be missed by all of us.
Jerry Zhang
June 19, 2008
I am sadden to know that Prof. Vail passed away. Personally, though I did not have much contcats with him, Prof. Vail's dedication to immigrant rights and help to the students who studied immigration laws at the UNiversity of Houston are his true legacy and have profound impact to all of us in the Houston immigrant community. Moreover, he helped my firm's recruitment and mentored some of my colleagues.
My prayer and thoughts go to his family. God bless you all.
Jerry Zhang
Attorney at Law
Princy Sethi-Wadhwa
June 19, 2008
It breaks my heart every time I think about that the fact that Prof. Vail is no longer with us. For the past two days, I have had constant flashbacks of our conversations and the constant support/mentoring that I received from him. Prof. Vail inspired and encouraged me, and so many others, to pursue Immigration law.....to give 110% of ourselves to the clients we represent...I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from him. He will be sorely missed.
Kathleen Campbell Walker
June 19, 2008
We are all so grateful for the short time Joe was with us. He made contributions to the profession and to the lives of so many in a positive way that will never be forgotten.
Gary Endelman
June 19, 2008
His decency and integrity made me a better lawyer and hopefully a better person. He never forgot where he came from or what his mission in life was, to break the bonds of slavery and let the oppressed go free. He was a kind and gentle soul who knew the most basic of all lessons, that most of us never learn: Here on earth, G-d's work must truely be our own. For Joe, it always was.
diana velardo
June 19, 2008
My wonderful Professor Vail,
it has been two days since you left us and I am heart broken. You were an angel on earth and now you are an angel watching over us. My deepest sympathy to your loving family for this great loss.
Maria Jimenez
June 19, 2008
Many in the Houston immigrant and refugee community grieve deeply over the passing of Joe Vail. We will miss his gentle presence, his compassion and fierce commitment to justice.
john gossart
June 19, 2008
It was an honor to have you as a colleague on the bench from 1995 to 1999.Be at peace, Joe!
john gossart
Immigration Judge
Baltimore
Bill Denmark
June 19, 2008
I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Joseph Vail. Although I never met Joe, his brother, Jim, spoke very highly of him and all of his accomplishments. Please extend my sincerest condolences to the family.
Jane Garrison
June 19, 2008
I HOPE JOE KNEW JUST HOW DEEPLY HE WAS LOVED BY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE KNOWN HIM.
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