I am honoured to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Joseph and to celebrate his life...but I am deeply saddened that he cannot be with us to hear what we all too seldom get around to saying in life. I have worked with Joseph for over a decade and many of those who come with me from his place of work today; friends and work colleagues have known and worked with him for much longer. His work was always difficult and demanding but Joseph managed to rise above the rough and tumble of the psychiatric ward as a beacon of calm and wisdom. As a nurse Joseph was ‘old school’ with a strong sense of propriety and professionalism. He always had the best interests of our patients at heart... and I bring tributes from the many of them who are aware of his passing. I viewed Joseph as a wise councillor, a strong ally when times were difficult and a preserver of many of the best values in providing care which we all too easily seem to be letting slip through our fingers these days. Our service is much the poorer without him, we are much the poorer without him... and we miss him deeply.