If still waters run deep, then Leland William Joseph – affectionately called "Lee" – was an abyss, awesome and unfathomable. Like the nature he so enjoyed viewing, Lee could be quiet and unassuming, boisterous and roaring, serene as an open field, or explosive as volcano.

Lee enjoyed his solitude, content with being in his own presence for long periods of time. Although he would appear to be oblivious to others occupying the same space, Lee was keenly aware of his surroundings, quietly observing and moving .. like a lion in tall grass.

Occasionally Lee would emerge and grace others with his presence. His voice would punctuate the atmosphere with random observations, jokes, and the occasional tune.. often reggae or Nat King Cole sung in a smooth, Caribbean tenor. And Just as quietly as he appeared, like a humpback whale breaching, Lee would submerge again to the deep recesses of his mind in a space that could contain only him.

Leland William Joseph submerged a final and eternal time March 24, 2016 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey. He was born October 16, 1949 in Sparandaam, East Coast Demarara, Guyana, South America to Doreen Joseph (nee Benjamin) and Henry Joseph and was the eldest of 13 children.

Lee completed his formal education at Plaisance Government School and Guyana Technical Institute earning certification in radio and communication in 1965. He was known for being very smart and creative. Throughout Lee's life, Lee built radios and computers and often built household items the average person would simply purchase from the store. As a child, Lee enjoyed swimming, soccer, and cricket, and continued to enjoy soccer and cricket into adulthood, joining leagues and leading teams.

Lee emigrated to Brooklyn, NY in 1969 at the age of 19 and joined the United States Army in 1970, serving as military police. One of Lee's fondest memories of his service (1970-1972) is the friendship he developed with a fellow Caribbean, Horace Byfield, who shared his birthday and the same dates of entry and discharge from the military.

Although his friendship with Horace was a significant highlight, Lee often reflected on frightening encounters with racists in the military, the unfortunate reality of racism in everyday life, and the effects of racism on one's quality of life. It was evident these encounters were traumatizing.

Reading, learning, critically thinking, and reflecting were just a few of Lee's methods to combat the ignorance of racism. Lee enjoyed intelligent conversations and lively debates about social and economic injustice, travelling to see such scholars as Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan and Dr. John Henrik Clarke. Lee enjoyed reading, particularly about computers, world history, and social justice, amassing an extensive library and exposing his children to similar works and programs such as Like It Is with Gil Nobles.

"You pay for ignorance" ~ Leland W. Joseph ("Lee")

October 25, 1975, Leland married Rema Jean Clarke and settled in Neptune, New Jersey. He worked at Bell Labs and then Telcordia before retiring in 2004. The couple produced three sons and one daughter over the course of their marriage.

The highlight of his senior years was the birth of a grandchild February 4, 2015. Leland spent his days watching Gemma and they enjoyed a special bond until his death. Lee would often regale others with stories culled from his days spent with Gemma; tales of playful beatings and scolding she would give him, and reports on her intellectual and cognitive development. Gemma, in turn, would squeal with pure delight at the mere sight of her "Pop Pop", craning her neck to see who it was coming up the stairs.

Leland leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of forty years, Rema Joseph; four children, Julius Joseph, Jason Joseph, Jamillah Joseph, Jelani Joseph; one grandchild, Gemma Joseph Agboola; mother and father, Doreen and Henry Joseph; ten aunts and uncles; seven siblings, Kenrick Joseph, Gwendy Lucas (Paul), Greta "Dawn" Holder (Erroll), Samuel "Sam" Joseph, Marilyn Joseph Bacchus (Brian), Debra Joseph, Joy Joseph, Deborah McCarthy (David); nineteen nieces and nephews; and twenty two grandnieces and grandnephews. Lee was predeceased by three siblings, Colleen Joseph, Vincent Joseph, and Tessa Joseph.

Another of Lee's favorite sayings was "You can take the horse to the water but you can't make him drink." In all his stubborn glory and ever true to his life, Lee remained his own, independent person until he was summoned by the One with whom there is no debating.

Lee, you were and shall remain loved here.. and we live, hoping to see you again, in the morning!