Joseph James PONIC

Saddened to see this link on Mr Robertsons FB post. I spent one semester at RIHSC and Mr Ponic was always there for me ensuring that I settle down well and giving me a lot of advices along the way. As a teacher he went above and beyond for me. Mr Ponic brought a lot of positivity into my life when I was at the age where I was doubting myself. I hope you will rest well in Gods grace now. I am sorry I procrastinated and did not stay in touch as frequently. You will be missed.

I was very saddened to hear of Fr. Joe's passing. My mother and him went to grammar school together at Epiphany in Chicago IL. He would always come to visit when he was in town. We always enjoyed his stories.

I was greatly saddened to learn of Joe's passing. He was a colleague, friend and mentor.
I shared an office with Joe for 10 years while we were teaching at Richmond International High School. Joe taught a class in Western Civilization in the next room while I had a prep. I left the door ajar so I could listen, and occasionally peek. Everything I know about ancient Rome I owe to Joe. He would meander into class with an arm load of slide cassettes filled with pictures from his travels in Italy and teach for an hour. He had thousands of teaching slides and in all the years I taught with him, I never saw him use notes!
Joe was one of the most intelligent people I have known; however, he left you feeling smarter after being with him.
He was kind, compassionate and always up for some crazy antics at school. Halloween was big event for Joe, and he never missed a Halloween dance and always dressed for the occasion (see picture). All of his students loved and respected him. He left his mark on you! I will miss you.

I'm just heart broken. I've been meaning to call Joe for some time now but he traveled so often I never knew if he was home or what number to reach him at. We met Joe in Belvidere, IL when he was filling in as a temporary priest at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He came to live with us for a few months before leaving IL. He's been a good friend and we will miss him terribly. Rest in peace Ponic-San. I love you my friend.

We appreciate Joe in his faithful service as our Class Agent, College of William and Mary. He has been a good and true friend. Joe's heart has always been true, and we value his contributions as he honored
our school.

Father Joe, you will be missed. Such a beautiful light with a wicked sense of humor! You were an inspiration to me, being an ex-pat from the first franchise as well! See you later!

Joe was a favorite of ours at Expedia Cruiseshipcenters. Joe had such spunk and was full of life. We enjoyed his smile, his positive uplifting attitude and of course his preserves. Rest in Peace Joe, you will be missed.

My dear friend... I am heartbroken. I will miss our conversations and planning your 'next big adventure'. Rest well my friend.

I first made Joe's acquaintance one evening at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where he was serving as a chaplain and I as a palliative-care volunteer. Over the years we became Brothers in the Faith; and he pastored me through the most difficult time of my life, on the death of my beloved spouse in 2011. Never once did I address him by his ecclesiastical title; he was always "Joe" to me, my dear friend and adopted brother. My grief is a bit lighter for being shared by his many, many friends.

Rest in peace Joe. Gerard

The parishioners of All Saints' Windsor, Ontario would like to express our sincere condolences on the lost of our dear friend Rev. Joe. We will miss him so much. We will remember all the good times we shared with him, our memories will live on forever. May he rest in peace and his soul rise in glory. Joan Carter, Office Manager All Saints' Anglican Church Windsor, Ontario.