JOSEPH "JOE" LEBRATO

Simply a great friend. I was one of his bartenders back in the 70s

Dear Irene and family: Please accept our prayers and sympathy in the loss of Joe. We always enjoyed seeing him at Java Bean and in the dental office. Dr. Jim Potts

Dearest Irene, Chris, and Family--You are in my thoughts and prayers. Although we have only known one another a short time, Joe was obviously a gracious man with tremendous love for his family. Your pictorial tribute showed so many good times with him that I know will be in your hearts for eternity. Blessings on you as you lean on one another in this time of sadness and lost. ❤

I always stopped in to see Joe when I would come back to the Fort to see my daughter and the many friends that were in the city that I grew up in. I will miss you Joe, we had many good times.

Every conversation that I had with Joe was a history lesson of Fort Wayne. Joe was a champion of old school etiquette.

The last words Joe and I had about a year ago were, "let's keep in touch". I wish I could see him one more time.We played together on that class of '62 football team. I remember, when we were juniors, the team we were playing had a trick play where the center hiked the football across the field to their quarterback and he took off running with 9 blockers in front of him..Joe took off after him and somehow picked and fought his way through the 9 blockers and made the tackle. Incredible! Concur on all previous messages about Joe's easy laugh and easy acceptance of others.Hitchhiking home together from Kirksville Mo. college, guy picked us up at 2am near Joliette, Joe made me get in the front seat and he got in back and said "you keep an eye on him, I'm going to sleep". Years would pass without contact...and when we ran into each other, planned or otherwise..I always felt accepted, even special in Joe's eyes..I think he made everyone feel that way.
My sincere condolences Irene.
Mike

RIP JOE. Wish I would've dive one more gig for you like you wanted. Final gig in the sky!

Sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Play music for him for couple year every other Friday and Saturdays. He always asked if I needed a drink or a bit to eat. He will be missed.

I played softball with you 35 years ago and golf just Sunday. You will be missed. Rest in Peace.

Joe you provided some of the best times of my life. Broadway Joes softball teams made some great friends & you & of course "Broadway Joe's" on Broadway. You will be sorely missed. Semper Fi my Brother Marine ,you won't be forgotten.

RIP Joe it was me who always played Copacabana five times in a row as I left the bar, sorry

Sorry about your loss. Our thoughts are with your family and friends.

I know you are in heaven now. Knowing you was a blessing and honor. You will be missed forever. I am praying for your family in their sorrow. Dear Jesus as you are listening from you home above, please find my dearest friend and give him all my love.

RIP Broadway Joe !. Many good times and great memories were made there on Broadway with you. God Bless Your Family in this time of loss .

Very sorry for your loss, I only new Joe from the YMCA in which for a few years I would see Joe daily, while I was living back in Ft. Wayne, he always remembered my name and talked to me as if we were life long friends, A gift so few know how to do... I will remember him and share his gift of treating everyone as a friend. Until we meet again my friend!

Caleb

Joe and I played one round of golf in the 1 1/2 years we have known each other. It will be a round that I will never forget. Joe was always telling jokes and always happy. He certainly cared about everyone he met. RIP Joe you will be missed dearly by all of us.

I've been a active member of the Y.M.C.A for about 8 years. I would see and interact with Joe everyday at the gym. Me being a lot younger than Joe,When I would talk with him, he would always give me great wisdom and advice about life. He was a great person inside and out. I am gonna miss seeing him everyday :( Rest In Peace Joe!

Joe we always had a lot of good times growing up and we always had respect for each other. I have kept you close in my heart.

Condolences you your family. I was a Bishop Luers Classmate and have enjoyed our reunions at Pine Valley.

Irene, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sorry to hear about Joe

I was only lucky enough to know Joe for the last two years, but I looked forward to seeing him daily at the Central Y. It won't be the same without him there, his smile, his jokes and especially his orneriness will, and already has, been missed by all of us there.

So sorry to hear of Joe passing, he was trule a gem.. so glad I got the chance to meet him and Irene a few years back. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.. may your faith and cherished memories support you in this difficult time. God bless.

Sorry for your loss.

Joe you will be truly missed but never fog gotten you was a good guy

To Joe's Family:
Joe and I go back a long way. Cathedral school gymnasium. The winter of 1957-58. Joe was the best basketball player in the gym. We competed with and against each other for years. In all sports. At all venues. Joe was the most competitive and gifted athlete I ever had the privilege of knowing, but he was an even better man.

My greatest thought of my friend, Joe, is that I never beat him in a game of pool. He was always a true gentlemen,and we shared a lot of Friday night dinners. Rest in peace my brother; you will be missed. Bless Irene and the family. You will never be forgotten. Thanks for our friendship.

Blainer and Lisa

Our prayers to your family. Greg & Deb Kelley

Dear Irene and family, we are sorry to hear of Joe's sudden passing.unfortunately we will not be able to come to Services this weekend. God bless you, Helen and Jack Cochrane

I've had the chance of knowing this wonderful man I met through a friend 18 years ago... we've had great conversations throughout the years, I would stop into Broadway Joes for a coffee just to chat with him and cut up a bit. I often ran into him at the YMCA as well. You will be dearly missed....

Our sincere condolences to Joe's Family

I have known Joe for 50 years & he is a friend who will be missed. I am sorry for his family & our blessings go out to them. Harold & Barb Connell

I knew Joe from the YMCA downtown. His locker was just down from mine, and I had many great conversations with him. His passing was the talk of the Y this week, and everyone who knew him will miss him! It just won't be the same there without him. Prayers for the family. RIP Joe!!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lebrato family! Joe was one of the true treasures in life. It was truly a blessing to have known such a kind and compassionate man. Joe always had a smile and a wave for everyone. Rest in piece my friend.

I'm sorry so for your loss Bill. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

I was a Freshman when Joe and his team mates won the City Football Championship and brought the famous "Bell" home to Bishop Luers. It was a special and exciting time. Joe and his team mates set a very high bar for the rest of us to emulate. The success of the Luers' Football Program is a testimonial to Joe. RIP and God Speed.

Broadway Joe's was the place to go, when you worked 3rd shift! I have so many fun and wonderful memories there, with Joe, his dad, Bill. He was truly a wonderful person, and will be missed by all. R.I.P. Joe!!!! God bless.....

May Joe rest in peace.

RIP Joe,you will always be remembered,thanks for all the good times and for looking out for my father in law

Joe will be missed! He's been a constant figure in our lives for as long as I can remember. Always had a smile on his face. He's been such a good supporter of our family since my Mom died. I will miss our talks about Cleveland sports when I would be home. Prayers to all his family and friends. Jill Garst (Steve Ball's Daughter)

I am proud to say that I'm a better person because of knowing Joe.

God Bless Lebrato Family.

Michael Joyner

Joe will be missed. He was always so nice and I remember he always had a smile on his face. Prayers to his family during this time.

Dear Lebrato Family,

I am just so sad about Joe's passing. He was such a good friend to my dad. I don't know how we would have gotten through my mom's illness and death if it weren't for Joe. He was a fixture on all of our trips home, my kids loved him, and the coffee shop won't be the same without him. I can't believe he's gone.

Lots of Love and Good Thoughts!

This makes me very sad Joe was a very kind and giving man. I hope his family can find peace in knowing he is in heaven looking down on all of them.My prayers are with you all.

Joe was an asset to his community by helping those in need. I'm honored I got to meet him and see him help those less fortunate. He'll be missed by so many but he'll be a guardian angel looking down on all loved ones and friends. My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.

What a wonderful man he was he will be greatly missed!!!!

Joe made so many memories for us partiers at his wonderful gathering spot in the old neighborhood. RIP, Broadway Joe.

Bill and Family,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Joe truly was one of the good guys. I recall fondly our conversations during our sons' high school years. May God rest his soul. Sid Baker

I will so miss my gym buddy! His sense of humor, work ethic and dedication to making this a part of his life were admired by many. I hope that they have a stairmaster in Heaven. :o)

To all of the Lebrato family.I am so sorry for your loss.A great guy indeed that will be greatly missed.My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
Jeff Zolnik

The drop down menu above only let me choose one category of our relationship. As with all classmates, team mates, friends our relationship in High School was all over the place. Coach use to tell us that our High school friends wouldn't remain the same after we graduated. He always offered good advice and was generally right, on this one he was wrong. Yes we all went our separate ways but we all did remain in contact. The 125 student in Bishop Luers first class were different and brought together for a reason that only God knows. Some of were leaders and some followers. On the football field you were one of the leaders and we all respected you in that roll. Its times like this that the memories of those early years come back in a rush. God bless Joe your in his hands now and I hope to see you there someday. I'll try to keep nose clean from here on out. Prayers and Love for you and your family.

I've know Joe for over 50 years we had some time Sunday on the range to talk about some old times this just does not seem real. We will all miss Joe he was a kind and unique man with a good heart. We won the pro member last year at Coyote he was a great competitor.
Jeff

Joe was the first Quarterback for Bishop Luers and was very much instrumental in setting the successful tradition of Bishop Luers football. Rest in Peace Joe.

Tom (Whale) Humbrecht
BLHS, 1963

Irene, Billy, Gina, & Chris, I'm so sad & sorry for your loss. Joe has always seemed like a brother to me, & I will miss stopping on Broadway to see him on my trips back home. You all are, & always will be, in my thoughts & loving memories.

Joe-Joe
was a member of our golfing group at COYOTE CREEK Golf Club

He loved playing a challenging match and just to take our MONEY.

We had a brotherhood and he was One of our golfing brothers.


We will miss you winning "All" money............

RIP Brother JOE

COYOTE CREEK GOLF CLUB members

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Family! (I am the daughter of Joseph and Veronica Lebrato)

Very sorry to learn of your loss.I will pray you find comfort from all the prayers you receive.I am tunas mother an Cassandra grandma.