Joseph Dahonick

Spontaneous, eager, fearless!  There was nothing more exciting for Joseph than a good adventure that included a long walk.  Our very first date, the morning after our first high school kiss, we shared a magical walk crisscrossing downtown.  Stops for coffee, Allan Gardens, discussions of neighbourhood architecture, and five words that Joseph spoke to me – “none of that scares me.” He had just taken my hand after I had spilled out my snapshot of angst and fear and disconnect in my journey.  I knew at that very moment that we were destined to be in relationship.  And it was so.  And it will always be so.

Joseph easily wore the mantle of mature relationship, celebrating love in its multiple expressions and living that love in intimate relationship with self, each other and God.  These types of conversations were easy and common between us.  Joseph is a theologian, and his ideas about God and the world come from a very deep place within.  They are rooted in the inherent good of all people; manifest in his authentic ‘joie de vivre;’ evidenced in his ability to engage anyone and everyone in hearty conversation with witty rapport.

Joseph’s passion for this world and for its creatures is best evidenced by his deep love for bees and for the family that helped him to learn that in Saskatchewan.  His time in Katimavik was transformational and informed and shaped his politics, his beliefs, his loves, and his passion for justice.

It would be impossible to name everyone whose life he touched and who touched him, but Cary cannot go unnamed: his first true love and soulmate, a person whose name adorns the AIDS Memorial in Toronto.  Latte his loving and gentle dog who was constant companion and love also comes to mind. There is, of course, the Kincardine lighthouse, Olivia, and Sinead, his spiritual guide.

Joseph never shied away from letting people know that his experience of life was shaped by HIV.  He was a powerful advocate; living testimony of the power to live life fully; embracing each moment, living each moment fully and completely by being present in it.

Almost never a day went by that Joseph did not exclaim – “Greg I cannot believe how lucky we are to live where we live.” – He loved St. Lawrence neighbourhood, our comfortable home, and our life together.  It was full, full, full.  Politics, God, Justice, Music, Adventure.  Often planned over EARLY morning coffee and the CBC. Like all things we that did in our lives after meeting, we did it together.

While we had healthy boundaries, our intimacy and our love for each other was written all over our face.  Every second of every day I thank the Creator for the chance to walk for a time with this man; this beautiful, vibrant, deeply passionate man.