Another good one has left us behind

In high school and college, he was known for lots of different things.

Personality and physical size always stood out.

And near the top of the list was his love of making big holes in defensive lines so his teammate running backs could blast into the secondary.

He was good at it.

He also loved the many aspects of being a police officer. And when it came to dogs, being a K-9 officer was a true love.

So after graduating, that’s what he did for the Norfolk Police Department for a little more than 40 years – working with dogs and teaching other officers to do the same.

Despite his size and physical attributes, he always seemed so mild mannered – especially when flashing a huge smile through his model-good-looks.

But some of his efforts took their toll on Maurice Joseph and he went to his maker on October 9.

“He was my gentle giant,” said wife GiGi Joseph.

Mo, as friends and family called him, was 62.

A celebration of life will be held Monday (Nov. 4) at Great Bridge Baptist Church. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., but getting there early is advisable, as a large crowd is expected.

For GiGi, the loss of her best friend has been especially painful. She had stood by him after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma – a form of brain cancer – as well as six other ailments brought on from a stint in New York a couple of weeks after 9-11.

The couple had recently bought a home in Venice, Fla., and Joseph was at his new home while waiting retirement.

“He was on the golf course and he just fell out,” GiGi said. “We insisted that they check his brain and a month later they removed a tumor. After chemo and radiation, they found another tumor.

“They all had illnesses from working at Ground Zero.

“I’m taking things day by day. But it’s so void now.”

Joseph and 37 others with the Police Department were certified with six illnesses caused while they and their dogs searched the 9-11 rubble for people.

As he was to his children and grandchildren, he had been like a father to all of them.

Joseph was a founding member of the Virginia Police Work Dog Association and helped train and equip K-9 teams throughout Virginia and around the country.

Despite the hard work and long hours working with his dogs, Joseph never failed to love sports like triathlons and marathons. He especially loved playing golf.

As one Kellam teammate said: “He was always great to be around.”

Joseph’s family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his name to the Tunnels 2 Towers Foundation that helps the families of first responders and military personnel.