The story
Sorry, due to COVID-19 we will not be having a memorial service for Joe. Please post a tribute below to share.
Memory wall
41 tributes have been left in memory of Joe Tseng-Gill.
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Feb 2020 at Van Nuys Office
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I'm not sure what surprised him this Xmas Day. Maybe the hat, or maybe one of our friends off camera. Whatever it was, this shot really captured his playful spirit.
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Fishing Trip in Maui, Hawaii (2011)
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Dear Gerry and Elaine: We send our love and condolences and hope you will be comforted by happy memories of Joe. He touched so many lives; we will always remember him fondly. Thinking of you and hoping you will find comfort in remembering the good times and the special closeness that you and Joe shared together. Joe lives on in the lives he touched and in the love he shared. He will be warmly remembered. With Sympathy, Che and Debbie
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After Joe moved to San Francisco, in the early 1980s, just as the AIDs crisis began to take hold, he took a job at San Francisco General's 5-A ward, which was the first AIDs ward in the nation. On his first day, his charge nurse brought him into a patient's room. She asked him to sit down and hold the patient's hand. She said that you will know when it's time to get back to me. Joe sat holding the gentleman's hand, and within a couple of hours, he died. The charge nurse told him "Welcome to 5-A, you now understand what your job is, we take care of the dying, making them comfortable and feel loved. For many we are their only family, their family of birth has rejected them and their friends are fearful of visiting. In those years before there were antiviral treatments, all of their patients died. Joe learned what the end of life was like. He wasn't afraid to die but valued the joy of having a loving and caring family. His compassion for caring for the sick and needy blossomed, future jobs included caring for inmates, supporting the homeless who were wanting to get off drugs, being the nursing administrator in nursing homes and finally inspecting and licensing hospitals and nursing homes, along with investigating incidents of possible abuse of the elderly and disabled. Now you know a little more about Joe's work life and character.
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Dear Elaine-chan and Gerry, Our deepest sympathy to you on the passing of Joe. We were so lucky to have you as part of our JBBP family. Joe was a sweet man, a dedicated dad, and he always had a smile for each of us. He will be missed. We are thinking of you. With Love, The JBBP Sensei and Teachers
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Remembering Joe, we said a little prayer, "Lay me down to sleep & pray the Lord my soul to keep". He was truly a child of Christ. Here on Earth, a joy to behold... Smiles for miles & charades for every occasion. *Included is the photo we took in 2014 after Elaine finished performing her Holiday Ice Show. There we so many good memories together. We thank you for sharing them with us. We will certainly miss him... Bill Delao & Brandon Lee in SF.
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Please know we are praying for your family. Peace and comfort to you all.
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Joe in '93 or '94 with one of the many Buddhas in Bangkhok.
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Nearly 30 years ago, Joe and I shared a little apartment on Noe street. He and I both moved our separate ways, but to this day, I knew I could call him and he would drop everything to be there for me. He was one of the kindest people I knew and a true friend.
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Always smiling. So generous. Always with a funny picture to show or story to tell. I feel so lucky and blessed to have met and befriended someone like Joe. Supplier of diet coke, driving like a maniac and screaming each time he made a sharp turn, giggles, surprising us by speaking tagalog words, and big bear morning hugs to start our work day... I miss you, Joe.
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A candle was lit in memory.
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A candle was lit in memory.
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A younger Joe moving into his new apartment at 518 Noe Street.
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It has been almost 2 weeks since getting the news of Joe's passing and I still can't believe it. Death of a loved one these days seems so surreal. There is no saying goodbye. No ceremony. No closure. Almost seems to be an exercise in protocol and efficiency, void of feeling and emotion. I suppose, for now this "post" will have to suffice as the only place where we can greave and express our loss and our love for someone whom we will never see again. It's not fair, but it is what it is. Writing this, I realize that I miss Joe more than I thought as I find myself with tears dripping onto my glasses. Joe and I spent little time together as we lived far from each other. Mostly our paths crossed at family get togethers and on the occasional family cruise or ski trip. Joe was always "down to earth" and interesting to listen to. Best of all, he was the best person to ever come into my brothers life. He was the "Ying" to Gerry's "Yang so to speak. I am sure Gerry & Elaine will miss him greatly. I can't imagine losing my partner. It would hurt terribly. I with I could do or say something that could make the hurt go away or diminish, but I can't. I give Gerry and Elaine a big virtual Hug now, and a "rain check" for the real thing when it is safe to do so. Love you guys. Joe was one of a kind and I will miss him. We all will. ........ Tom (Gerry's brother)
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Enjoyed our last Thanksgiving together. Missing you all so much- hugs Gerry & Elaine.
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I was lucky enough to be a part of the positive force known as the Tseng-Gill eco-system. Joe had a huge heart that sustained and nourished all those around him. Joe, Gerry, and Elaine will always be pillars of the Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program in San Francisco.
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Thinking of all the great trips we made to Napa, Alaska, Maui, Hong Kong, China, and the family times spent together. Rest in peace Joe. You will be missed. Brad Leppi
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I had the opportunity to work with Joe, and wanted to share a few of my memories of the likable, generous, fun-loving Joe I knew. The number one thing that stands out in my mind is how much he loved his family and how proud he was of Elaine. Joe was a good guy to work with. He was always down to business and a total straight-shooter while surveying, but as soon as it was time to break for lunch, "fun Joe" came to life. He would joke, laugh, and partake of a tasty meal out with the team, which always included a diet coke. The picture was taken in Santa Barbara on one such break from work. Joe had an incredible collection of Aloha shirts. In fact, it was a highlight of my workday to see what shirt Joe came to work wearing that day. He was always all-in when it came to festivities, and he had incredible costumes. I think he won most, if not all of the "fashion" contests at work parties. I know Joe really liked being a nurse, and he had great stories about working in the ER. I recall the two of us going to lunch while on survey, and he told nurse stories the entire time... which I thoroughly enjoyed. Joe lived life to the fullest, and that's what I'll remember.
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Late Supper after Holiday Ice Show (2014)
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2000 - Joe and his newly found bio family. On his right is his sister, Shonda DePue. On his far right is his brother, Rick Cowan. In front of Joe are his aunts and cousins.
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Christmas 2019, Joe and I took a little cruise from Long Beach to Catalina and Ensenada. This photo is of us in the ship's lobby for the ugly sweater contest. We were both selected to participate, but joe declined but insisted that I participate. I did win the competition and have a lovely generic award to remember it. I think that Joe would have easily won, but he was the type of guy to take more pleasure seeing his friends or family win, rather than to win himself.
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Fourth of July parade in Alameda California a few years back. One of the many adventures we’ve had a long way.
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When I think of Joe, I can see his smile....his laughter....his jolly way. He was such a good friend and it was quite shocking to get the news. I told him I was going to visit him at his new home. alas. That is not to be. Thank you for the memories, Joe. To Elaine & Gerry, Joe always had something to share about both of you. That's how much he loved you both. Condolence.
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Bracebridge Dinner at Yosemite years ago...I will always cherish the family trips we all took together. We were blessed to have you in our family, you will be dearly missed. Pam Leppi
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“Daddy I have a monkey in my pants“ Elaine managed to hide small plastic monkeys in her leotard to play with later after her performance on stage at the Palace of fine arts.
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