I was absolutely stunned to hear that Joe had been diagnosed with a stage 3 brain tumor. Joe’s tumor identified as an anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH1 mutation, slow-growing. He immediately had brain surgery to remove 70% of the tumor. Then he would undergo radiation therapy to deal with the remaining tumor. Joe would remain in Boston living with his sister Anne, her family and Ferdinando their Bulldog. We began a dialogue about shooting a portrait of him and possibly an artistic collaboration.
In October, 2015 I visited Joe in Boston and brought a carry-on suitcase full of collage materials. This was the first time we had spent time together, I stayed for three days. It felt so natural to be around his family, and we went for short walks and made collages in the attic space he was using as his studio. Joe had been a painter for many years. But what was left of the brain tumor caused left-side neglect so he no longer painted. He found that he could use scissors well enough and began steadily making collages. Most were humorous with themes reflecting his interests or politics. I made portraits of Joe getting radiation therapy and occupational therapy.

In January, 2016 I went to see Joe in Boston just before going away to my Arts/Industry residency. David Bowie had died the night before, and after dinner we had a listening party with his sister Anne’s family everyone singing along with Bowie; I remember this bittersweet night very fondly. I saw Joe again in Des Moines in September 2017, he and his parents took me to see the Buffalo Preserve that he loved so much. I saw him one last time in hospice in April 2018. 

Joe’s mother Jean explained to me that Joe never asked why this happened to him or what he had done to deserve cancer. He and his sister Anne did discuss death, and Anne said he was reconciled to the fact that the cancer would kill him. He told her he would like to be a tree after he died! His family suggested in his obituary that friends plant a tree in his memory.