Joe Toye After Band of Brothers: Surviving 2 Amputations & Caring for His Severe [20:11-25:05]

Joe taking them up to Canada every summer to camp and fish. He remembered going swimming in the lake, and watching Joe walk down to the lake with a peg leg that he held on by holding a rope that was attached to it. He then took it off once he got in the water. Walking behind him, going down to the lake, and you see people looking at him, and giving him these little bit strange looks, recalled George. The number of shrapnel wounds in his back was just incredible to see, and people just kind of were, I don't know, in awe, but that he just did it, and I mean, he never considered anything in his life a handicap. He always just did it. He never accepted that. He didn't get a handicap plate, a placard, until he had a knee replacement in his good leg. He was entitled to a free hunting and fishing license because of being a disabled vet. Did not accept any of those, always paid for his way. He goes, if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it. George said that he only learned of Joe's four purple hearts because he found them buried in the back of his dresser. He didn't want any special recognition, said George, who recalled that in some ways, it was hard for Joe when the book came out because people started learning about it and knowing more about him, a part of his life that he almost never shared. That's where I learned more about it than anything, said George, from the book. In the end, he described Joe as being an incredible man, an incredible figure to look up to, and recalled that Joe would never refer to him as his stepson, but always his son. After Joe toy retired, he took classes at the local community college and enjoyed painting and cooking. His children described him as being a great cook. He also enjoyed walking, often a malady, and working out with weights. He saw his friend Richard Winters on occasion, who lived about an hour away. Richard Winters' daughter, Jill, said that her father always talked about how deeply Joe cared for his family. Much of Joe's retirement was devoted to his son, Jonathan. He spent a couple hours a day at the care home, feeding Jonathan and looking after him. After Joe's wife Mary died in 1987, he told his son, Steve, I just want to live long enough to bury Jonathan, and then I'll be happy. Undoubtedly, because of Joe's love, his son, Jonathan, lived until age 32. Three times longer than doctors had expected. Joe toy died of pancreatic cancer a year and a half later in Reading, Pennsylvania on September 3, 1995, at age 76. Richard Winters delivered the eulogy and was a pallbearer at his funeral. Joe was buried at Gethsemane Cemetery in Laureldale, Pennsylvania near Reading. Prior to his death, Joe toyed once told his son, Steve, that he didn't feel like he had done much with his life. Taken aback by the statement, Steve was quick to remind him that the sacrifices and accomplishments he made for his country in the matter of a year, 99% of the population doesn't make in a lifetime. However, it wasn't just Joe toy's service that made him a hero. The fact that he remained an unwavering constant in his son Jonathan's life speaks volumes to his character. It's not hard to imagine the smiles that must have come across Jonathan's face because his father made the nearly hour drive each day to show up and care for him. I hope those smiles filled Joe's heart as well, and I hope he understood that the true testament to the kind of man he was was not only etched on a battlefield far away, but continued to be exemplified in his daily life in the years that followed, including there by Jonathan's side. In a May 7, 1993 letter, Richard Winters sent to Joe toy after Jonathan's passing. Winters wrote the following to his friend. With this note, I want to express my admiration of you, and for the character you once again have demonstrated through these trying times in your life. No son ever had a father more dedicated and faithful. I am thinking of your regular visits to Hamburg. You are making out a living will with his care and interest in mind. Your daily trips to the Hershey Medical Center, even though you were in severe pain with your knee at the time, and finally, your daily trips to the Reading Hospital over his last eight weeks. All of the above demonstrate true character, true love. As a soldier in training or in combat, you always did your best. I never heard you complain. I never heard you talk about yourself or brag. My respect for you over all these years has never mellowed. It has only grown stronger. If you enjoyed this video on the life of Staff Sergeant Joe Toy, be sure to give it a like. And if you want to see more biographies on the band of brothers veterans, make sure to subscribe to our channel. Anchors away my friends.