Sylvia Jean Joseph, mother of His Grace Bishop THOMAS, reposed in the Lord on Christmas Eve, 2017. She was 93 years old. Writes His Grace, "As you know, she had been suffering for a good period of time. Although this was unexpected, she was visited by both a deacon and priest today....There are so many of you who prayed for my mom and offered all kinds of support. My father, my sister and I are eternally grateful to you. More importantly, Mom is grateful. I'll ask again for your holy prayers for her soul. May she rest in peace, and may God give us the strength to bear this loss."
The funeral arrangements Sylvia Jean Joseph are as follows:
On Friday, December 29, 2017, there will be a viewing from 2-4pm at Holy Cross Orthodox Church, 2365 South South Olga Drive in Ft. Myers, FL 33905. Included in this will be a Trisagion service at 3:30pm.
On Saturday, December 30, 2017, visitation is from 10am-11:30am. Once again this will be at Holy Cross Orthodox Church.
Saturday, December 30, 2017, funeral service at Holy Cross Orthodox Church at 11:30am.
Saturday, December 30, 2017, immediately after the funeral, there will be a procession to Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82 in Ft. Myers, FL 33913 for the interment.
Saturday, December 30, 2017, immediately after the interment, all are invited to the meal of mercy to be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall,16351 Slater Road, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33917. Everyone, including clergy and laity, who will be able to stay for the mercy meal should email or phone Father Anthony by Thursday at 4:00pm.
Very kindly, we are asking all clergy that wish to participate in any of the services to wear red or gold phelonion and stole. In addition to this, the clergy should email or call Father Anthony Yazge to inform him that they will be participating. Father Anthony's email address is: franthony@avcamp.org His phone number is 724-953-7238.
Those who are flying in should plan to fly into Ft. Myers or Punta Gorda airport.
Those needing hotel accommodations are recommended to the following hotels—
Hotels near the airport:
- LaQuinta 239-466-0012
- Holiday Inn 239-561-1550
- Hampton Inn 239-768-2525
Hotels in North Fort Myers:
- Travelodge 239-995-0535
- Best Western 239-997-5511
Donations in Sylvia Jean's memory may be made to the Antiochian Village Camp, 201 St Ignatius Trail, Bolivar, PA 15923 c/o Very Rev. Anthony Yazge. Father Anthony will make sure the campers benefit from these donations.