John Dicou died at 91

I knew him as Om Joe (pronounced Yo). He is the last of the Dutch uncles and he was definitely the favorite. When he and my mother's youngest sister, Henny, were engaged, they came over to the house,where he immediately engaged with us kids, by swirling us around the living room holding one arm and one leg. We shouted, "Again! Again!" He was always up for another round. He had funny stories, loved the odd obscenity, sang Dutch songs and yodeled. They lived next door to Opa, who never joined the church, but Joe would have a Fisher beer with him occasionally. He was a brick layer turned artist. His work was scrupulous and covered in Better Homes and Gardens. That sharp point on Abravanel Hall: his work. He loved his work: "In the morning, there was nothing; at the end of the day, there was a wall." He and Henny visited us in Nova Scotia, where we ended each night with a board game.They played to win and so did we. Perfection. Wherever he was, there was laughter and singing. At the end of his life he'd go downtown in his klompen (wooden shoes) and people would have their pictures taken with him. He made us all happy. Rest in peace,Om Joe.