Guest Book
I'm looking for new submissions for the Joe Tully Memorial Guest Book. If you have a Joe Tully Tale or a photo (or photos!) that you'd like to share please email them to me at johntullyf57@gmail.com.
Cheers,
JohnT
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Uncle Joe,Thank you so much for being such an inspiration. You & Auntie Cookie took me everywhere when I was young…from California to NYC. I will never forget the trips into the city waiting for you to get your hair cut at the barber so I could roller skate! You both took me to see “Winnie the Pooh” and the Hologram Museum. – I will never forget that.Although I hated your “classical music,” I loved going to the parades and eating at the Spanish restaurant.I am glad we got to spend Father’s Day together this year because you are like another father to me. I miss you soooooooooo much!Love,Sara
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Joe and I were in our early twenties and were on vacation in Spain. One day we decided to walk for what seemed like 100 miles along the beach, we saw a golf course and decided to rent clubs and play a round. After several hours we were on the 2nd or 3rd hole and realised that the 10 day holiday was not enough time to finish the game so we headed back.On the way back Joe said “instead of walking all that way along the beach we can cut across country, it will be a lot quicker.” This move was possibly the first of what Lee years later so aptly named “Tully Tours” On the way through rural Spain we encountered upon a small dog in a fenced yard. It of course barked at us and Joe began taunting it. ”That dog may bite” I said.“That dog will never make it over that fence” said Joe….With that the dog made the jump of it’s life. Joe set off running, dog in chase snapping at his heels. Joe was wearing those khaki shorts that were so wide that when he walked his legs did not touch the edges, black socks and hiking boots. What a sight, the dog soon got bored and Joe was safe again. Many hours and miles later we returned to the hotel.After that when Joe and I were together we used the words “that dog will never make it over that fence” as a Tully type murphy’s law.Joe will live on in so many wonderful memories.
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Joe and I were maybe 19 years old at most and we had these two “stuck up” girlfriends. One night after we had met them in a pub near where they lived we were summoned to go to Joes girls home to meet her parents. What snobs, they lived in Harrow and her dad was a manager for a coal company.After a while her Dad went to the toilet and Mum and the girls went to make coffee. Joe said he was dying to take a leak but her Dad was in the only toilet. Joe was desperate, and did a “Tully move” In the corner of the room was a brass pot with fake flowers in it. You guessed it, Joe picked up the pot and began. Trouble was, this pot had holes in the bottom to put the flowers in. Joe couldn’t stop going. When he was finished the carpet was noticebly wet. We did the only sensible thing and quickly rearranged the furniture to cover the wet.When the others returned to the room we just acted like nothing was wrong. They obviously saw the changes but said nothing. Joe told me that the next time he went to her house the furniture was back in place and presumably the carpet had been cleaned. Nothing was ever said…
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It’s 1964 at school; bored during a ‘retreat’ (silent, religous day), a few of us sneak into the empty chapel. Tony O’Malley blasts out ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ on the organ whilst Joe, Dennis O’Connel and me sing a better (?) version of the song than Procol Harum!Captured by prefects, we appear before Headmaster Father Groves (a more miserable, souless man it would be hard to meet).After the usual severe bollocking, the threat of expulsion and issue of one week’s detention, he asks where we live.Kilburn father said Tony.Harlesden father said both Dennis and me.Willesden father said Joe.‘Ah, as I suspected’, he said ‘London Irish Scum’!With that Joe bursts out laughing and Groves doubles our detention (the b*******d)! Thanks Tully.A footnote to the story is that within 5 years, O’Malley was touring and playing keyboards with 10cc. My wife Ardna and I will always be eternally grateful to Lee and Joe for many reasons; we spent so many great times with them, including holidays together in Ireland and once in the Far East. One memorable night in a Karoake bar in Penang, Malaysia (apart from us, the bar comprised solely of Japanese businness men and ‘ladies’); bored with endless versions of ‘My Way’ in broken English and after probably a few too many beers, Tully decided to again demonstrate his singing prowess.After a robust version of ‘Hey Jude’, he sat down to rapturous applause, mainly from us.Summoning the bill, we noted that we’d been charged five dollars for his song!He explained (very loudly) that he usually charged establishments for the honour of hearing him perform, however they smiled politely and showed us out. As sixteen yearold Mods, Joe and I did a pub crawl up the Old Kent Road (a notoriously tough London area – many miles from home).‘I’ve heard that Rum and Blackcurrent is THE drink to have’ said Joe.Many beers and R&Bs later, we were ejected from whichever pub we’d ended up in and staggered back to the rail station.Our projectile vomiting cleared the tube compartment we were travelling in and we fell asleep and ended up miles from where we should have got off. At least the walk helped sober us up!It was’nt till the next day that I realised that he’d managed to completely ‘plaster’ the back of my new raincoat. Try explaining that to your mom! I’ve got so many great memories of knowing Joe; from school, through our ‘growing up’ phase, becoming men (well almost), knowing his family, meeting Lee and the Northvale folks, getting married in their home, great times and especially all his many kindnesses. I cant begin to express what his passing means to me, but will always cherish our long friendship. Remember Joe, until we meet again (and please God we surely will) Slante.
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My best Joe story ever!!–Upper sixth Finchley Catholic Grammar School c 1965/66.We’re bored and broke so we decide to set ourselves up in the window-cleaning business,working weekends. Mr T, ever- the- artist ,produced business cards under the pseudonyms–Nelcon(me) and Tullworth(Joe) Clean Windows.We plastered North Finchley with our cards.The following weekend we started.On the Friday evening we hired a set of double-wooden ladders : the heaviest and most unsuitable ever for this type of work . We used my sister’s A35 van with roof rack(touch of Trotter family here),got a couple of buckets and rags and off we went.Saturday am 0730 our first house– it was huge and full of small panes of glass.It took us a good 45 mintes to clean the front(fortunately we had no access to the rear!!) only to discover that nobody was in –so we did it for free !!!! But now came the coup de grace –Mr T now tells me that he’s scared of heights and can’t climb ladders !! Now he tells me !!We trundled on with our customers watching our every move,sometimes pointing out where we’d missed–it was Saturday morning and they had nothing better to do than watch us! After 4 hours of this lark,Joe and I sat down and we looked at each other : we’d had enough!We had earned just enough money to pay for the petrol and ladder hire so we decided to call it a day.We had a bite to eat at my mum’s place in Finchley and then went off to watch Arsenal play at Highbury,both of us vowing never to do that again. But what a laugh we had many years after recounting our entreprenurial exploits. Joe, I love you to bits.You’re a truly genuine,honest,warm,humourous and gifted mate. Keep em smiling up there Mr T. Bye for now your loving mate, Mick xx
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St Paddy’s Day, 2011 in NYC. Ran into Joe and his friends right before I was set to march with St. Francis Prep HS. He bought my friend and I a pint of Guinness which I took with me in the parade. That’s a no-no which almost got us kicked out and the Prep a bad rep. That was Joe though. Could not turn a pint down from Joe, no matter what the circumstances. Also signed me up with Northvale Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 2000. Our families go back to the Maggie’s Restaurant and Holy Family days. Miss you.
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Joe and I rode together on Wednesday nights down at the Northvale Ambulance Corps he always made things fun for us “new kids” so to speak. Joe had such a caring heart and when neither myself nor another girl on Wednesday nights were not given clothing by the Corps, Joe went home and brought each of us a couple t-shirts so that we would feel like a part of “the family.” Joe will be forever missed by myself and everyone down at NVAC. Rest in Peace my friend!
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I have very fond memories of my cousin Joe, going back many years ago when he visited my parents at home in Ballybunion, Co Kerry. I was very young at the time, but was fascinated by his smile and sense of humour. When I was in New York in 1999 with some friends, he came in to meet us one evening, again his smile, charm and sense of humour was as good as ever, we had great laughs that night. Go raibh a dheis dei a anam.
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A “Tully Tale”Joe and I were maybe 21 years old, we had planned to go to the Top Rank disco in Watford UK. Joe had just purchased an old Morris 1000 car and he was going to drive us. When I arrived at Joes house (Mum & Dads) I was introduced to a man that was a friend of the family John Arkwell. John was the family’s insurance man and was arranging cover for Joes “new” car.When all the paperwork was done, Joe was issued a proof of coverage note effective immediately, around 7pm. It was agreed that we would drop John off on the way to the disco. We set off Joe driving me in the front and John in the back. Around 7.05pm Joe crashed into the side of an oncoming car. Without hesitation Joe put his foot down and sped away, the other car was turning around and was obviously going to chase us. John (the insurance man) suggested pulling over, Joe said “good idea” and abruptly parked on the side of the road and announce, ”GET DOWN”.We all slid off the seats and on to the floor, out of site as the other car went right passed us. Shortly after Joe started the car and said ok here we go.NO!! shouted John I am walking. I wonder if he ever offered to renew Joes policy? I promise this is true. God love him, what a character.
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I have known Joe and Lee for as long as I can remember. I always considered them family. I have alot of great memories of Joe, since I grew up right across the street from them, and always spent Christmas Eve and numerous other holidays together.When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, Joe, was the first person who wanted to do a charity event in my honor and put the whole thing together. He organized a golf outing and then dinner at the restaurant, Maggies, which he owned at the time.The outing had a huge turn out and the dinner was packed afterwards.I am eternally grateful to Joe for what he did for me. Whenever I ran into Joe at a bar, before I even was able to get to the bar for a beer, he had one for me already!! I never was able to beat him at darts either!!I will never forget Joe and all the good times and bad that we shared together.
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The kids will tell it best, but sitting around the kitchen table came the discussion of Lego colors available when Joe was a kid. They had none of these fancy theme packs and colors for today’s kids. “There was just red, yellow, and blue and you built up or out”……Repeated several times for emphasis I might add and after a little red wine I believe, until we were all cracking up.What a character, what a love, we are going to miss you so much…………
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What a great man…’Mr T’ as my Dad, Mick Nelson likes to refer to him as. He was the best-man at my mum & dads wedding, and a life long friend to our whole family. Our fondest memory of Joe is when James & I visited NJ in March of 2011 for St Patrick’s Day. It was James’ first taste of America, and Joe showed us how to party in style! We spent a whole day in NYC celebrating St Paddy’s starting with a guinness at 11am! It was such fun! Joe made us feel like his family and he was just such a warm and friendly man! He is so greatly missed by all. We love you Mr T!
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My first memories of Joe revolve around him “torturing” me every night at bedtime. We shared the same room and he being 10 years older would come to bed later. First thing he’d do was to make sure I was awake. And then he want me to ask “Guess what?”. No matter how long I resisted I always broke down “OK, guess what?”. His reply – “Hot potatoes aren’t cold!”. And then he’d start up again, wanting me to ask the same question. “No, no I’m not going to ask the question because I already know the answer”. But he wouldn’t give up and eventually I’d cave in and ask “Guess what?” only now the answer would be “Cold potatoes aren’t hot!”. On and on, repeated all night, every night until he moved out at the age of 18 or so.
