Joseph Mitchell Zdeb

It is with great sadness that I must announce to you all the passing of my precious Joey. Joe was my partner, my friend, my confidant and companion through all life’s journeys.He passed away suddenly at Advocate Hospital on Saturday, September 6th; I will be posting more information as soon as I’m able and ask you all for your grace and patience as I mourn this tragic loss. I plan to schedule a celebration of life ceremony to honor Joe’s remarkable life and enduring legacy; I hope very much that you’ll all join me then (tentative date: February 2026 or Springtime 2026).

The emotional experience of having lost my handsome and heartwarming Joey is overwhelming at times; the sadness comes in unexpected waves and sometimes feels as if they’re insurmountable. Joey’s love was unconditional; he is truly one of the most amazing people I have ever had the great fortune to have met. His friends and loved ones all will agree that his caring was unparalleled — he was always willing to help. With his empathetic heart, his helping hands always outstretched, and no matter what… Joey always had my back.

I want to thank my fabulous family for their unwavering support — Donald, Sue, Maria, Manuel and Charlie, my amazing in-laws Luisa, Tim, and Lula, and my marvelous nieces and nephews who’ve always been there for their “Uncle Dan.” Your compassion and empathy mean the world to me! And to all my incredible friends: thank you so much for reaching out to me in these darkest of days. Every one of your messages makes me feel less alone and I will never forget how selflessly you’ve all come to me with calls and letters of love and offers of assistance. Please forgive me if I’m not able to respond just yet, as the grief I’m carrying is so profound, and the wound in my soul is so painful. And to those who aren’t blood relation or lifelong friends — your love is no less precious to me, as I know in my heart the extent to which you all adore our Joey. Each one of you holds a special place in his heart (and mine, as well of course!): Carol and Rick, Mari, Millie, Marcus, Debbie, Dehn, Kaia, Basia, Linda, Pastor Iris and Val… I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping to comfort me through my mourning.

43 and a half years of the love I have for Joey will be carried in my heart for all the days of my life. But God wanted our Joey back home in the heavens, and so all I could say was, “see you later, babe; I will love you forever.” And Joey is now resting in heavenly peace with his family— most notably his father Mitch, a proud and accomplished WWII combat veteran with two purple heart medals, his beautiful mother Joann, who truly is an angel here on earth, with the purest and most gracious soul I believe I have ever known and adored. Joe’s extraordinary parents did an excellent job raising their three sons — Carl, Joe’s older brother with whom Joe had become so close later in life, and Kenny, Joe’s younger brother, who (like his mother) truly was a soul as pure and sweet as anyone ever hope to know on this planet.

My Joey and I spent over 43 years together. Loving, respecting, challenging, supporting, engaging, delighting, caring for and caring about one another… and it is staggering to me how quickly those years, those decades have sped past. I wish so badly that he and I could have another half century together. And beyond. But God has Joe’s soul now, and that brings me comfort and solace, as I know that I will see my Joey again.

My Joey was a true renaissance man, who knew how to refinish furniture, a great cook, an instinctive eye for design, and for those of you who did not know my Joey, his was a rare and gifted mind that retained information and knowledge of what they have studied and researched, Joey could have been a scientist of botany (he loved his beautiful gardens) or he could even have been a doctor or Veterinarian because of his in-depth knowledge of medicines, and almost anything regarding the practice of law and even real estate. I believe my Joey would have made a great farmer, I could have been his farm husband, something that we talked about many years ago. 

Joe loved his family and had nothing but grand memories and stories about his childhood growing up on Huron St., which he loved to share with anyone who had a mind to listen.  The humanitarian side of him was as evident as a beacon of light that radiated with his skills as a caregiver to his father, mother, my Uncle Gil and me, which I believe was one reason why they all lived as long as they did.

Joey absolutely adored his family and loved talking (especially with his nieces Melissa and Megan), friends, and loved ones who’d call him just to check in and see how he was doing; he enjoyed long conversations with them, catching up and sharing stories. I have so much respect for all those who made so much time for him; I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Please think of him wherever you are and wherever you go and say hi, say a prayer. For me, too … I need that right now. I love my Joey, and I miss him terribly. The stretch of time ahead will no doubt be agonizing for me without him, and likely for many of you, too. So, when you have a moment? Please just say hi and say a prayer. For him, for me, for his family, friends, loved ones… for each other. For all of us. God bless us, all of us.

All my love and for the love of my Joey,

-Daniel DuVerney

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)

My Joey sacrificed many things to devote his life to his family, friends and to me. HE LOVED GOD. Amen

I found these prayers in Joey’s wallet:

Prayer to St. Joseph

"O God, who did choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy mother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in heaven, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen"

Prayer for Protection

"The light of God surrounds me; The love of God enfolds me; The power of God protects me. The presence of God watches over me; Wherever I am, GOD is! Amen"