Joseph Nemen Coury

Services will be held on Thursday in Capitola for Joseph Coury, who passed away very peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 18, 2008 at San Mateo County Medical Center following a 41-year struggle with kidney disease. A native of Santa Cruz, he was 43 years old. Joe, as he was affectionately known by all, attended local elementary and junior high schools in Aptos, graduated from Aptos High School and attended Cabrillo College. Despite his continual health problems, he had a remarkably sweet, gentle disposition which touched many hearts. In his younger years, he was a talented chef, and enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. His family will forever remember Joe's love for the outdoors, and he always enjoyed swimming and taking fishing trips with his dad.

All through his life, he possessed the wonderful virtue of patience, even during the most difficult moments. His grace was an inspiration to his family and friends, and was a constant source of life lessons for those who knew him. A loving son, grandson, and brother, he will be missed and never forgotten.

Joe is survived by his mother and father, Marlene "Mickie" and Robert Coury and his maternal grandmother, Enez Spezia, all of Aptos, his sisters and brothers in-law, Janice Coury-Ginella and Marco Ginella of Watsonville, Lisa and Tony Crane of Aptos, and Barbie and Gary Gerkensmeyer of Spokane, Washington. Joe also leaves his aunt and uncle, Patricia and Dean Raven of Corralitos, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He leaves behind many caring friends among the doctors and staff at Cordilleras Care Center in Redwood City.

All who wish to join the family to remember Joseph are invited to a Catholic Blessing Service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church 435 Monterey Ave., Capitola. A special family mass was offered at the Poor Clares Monastery in Aptos earlier this week. Additional masses may be offered in Joe's memory through the Poor Clares Monastery 1671 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos, Ca. 95003, or donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation 131 Stewart Street, Suite 520, San Francisco, CA 94105-1240 or NAMI of Santa Cruz 831 427-8020, www.namiscc.org/SantaCruz/index.htm in lieu of flowers.