Letters To Jose

Jose Tapia, friend and co-worker of so many at the stoneyard of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is in hospice care. His family is close by. Many of his associates at the Cathedral have posted their memories and appreciation to their friend, Jose, in these “Letters to Jose” along with photos supplied by Robert Rodriguez.

Back in The Day …

Jose always stood out as a genuine person. There was an innocent earnestness about him that would quickly put people at ease. He was generally an easy going individual, but would let you know when you were out of line. He was charismatic and friendly, but direct in his instruction.

When he was cutting stone his concentration level was all-consuming. He was a hard worker who would lose himself in the stone work. Naturally gifted at working with his hands, people often stood and watched Jose’s skillful chiseling technique. He was a no-nonsense stone cutter. He cut stone with an unhurried ease, and his finished work stood apart in its quality and grace.

Jose was also generous with his knowledge, and on hand to instruct those willing to work hard and learn. He was very patient which was a gift in this arduous trade, and his general knowledge of the workings of the stone yard was valued, and depended upon. Jose would often give helpful advice to the new sawyers, or anyone who needed guidance.

Aside from his stone cutting skills, he also had a steady hand in the construction of the tower:

Jose,

You were probably the most productive out of all of us at the Stone Yard, not only in cutting stones but setting them too. From the first day up on the tower you were all business and it was soon clear that fixing as many stones as quickly as possible was your aim and you were most successful in accomplishing that. You took great pride in your work at the Cathedral and rightly so.

One of my favorite memories is when you boasted that gablet springer with your 1/2″ chisel. That stone stood boldly apart from the others which had the standard 2″ tool marks and it looked fantastic though I was unsure how the master builder would receive it: as it turned out, his eyebrows were indeed raised but the stone made its way up to its place on the tower. You certainly left your mark on the cathedral and your colleagues, and your contributions to the Stone Yard and Tower are invaluable.

-Steve Boyle

Jose,

If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I would have stayed that long at the yard.

It was with your help that I was able to build up my confidence and perseverance. Remember Jose when I purchased that Dodge Dart with a slant 6 engine? My very first car. I think at the time you had the LeMans, the mistress on the street you would say.

One day Betsy (my Dodge) wouldn’t start but I remembered what you told me to do in that case. Place the screwdriver against the firewall and the poquito to start old Betsy up. And I have to say that my friends were all very impressed. Funny though now I know it’s called the starter. You have always been a kind and gentle person, always the first to reach out to help someone with anything.

-Poni Baptiste

Jose,

When I came off of the saw and first started cutting, with mallet and chisel, you took me under your wing and showed me how to use the pneumatic hammer (gun). You were generous with your tools and really pushed me forward. I had struggled mightily up to that point and, because of your encouragement, finally felt that I was moving forward as a stone cutter, part of the team.  You pulled me out of a rut.  Later, Bambridge took me off the gun and put a mallet back in my hand, so I went back to struggling, but at least I had the much needed self- confidence to forge ahead – due to your patient guidance.  I’ll always appreciate the ladder you lowered down to me.

-Joseph Kincannon

My Uncle Jose

I can’t remember how old exactly, maybe around 6. He was a very young child, along with his brother. They came from P.R. to NYC to live with their aunt (my dad’s mother) because his parents had died from a car accident, 

 My dad said that my uncle was into a lot of things in his younger years: 

He was a good swimmer. He was really into baseball. He has a passion for music and loved DJing at special events. He passed it onto his son. He also loved flying birds ever since he was a young boy. He would go up to the roof and fly and train pigeons.

He was always good with his hands and always loved construction and building homes, building whatever he could be handy with.

Jose has always been into having and maintains his huge fish tanks. He would love to watch them for hours. He had all types of fish. Especially, his piranhas. He loved those things.”

-Angela Garcia (Daughter of Angel Escobar) 

Hello Jose,

I have been thinking so often of the Stoneyard group at the Cathedral. Such a wonderful company of men and women with wonderful skills which Jim Morton admired so much.  He was devoted to you and the Work you did from the very beginning.
Here we all are these many years later and how great it is that all of you keep in touch. I am honored that I am included in the group!  And I am sending you many wishes for good days in North Carolina and all my affectionate greetings,    

-Pamela Morton

Dear Jose,

We so recently got back in touch, it was wonderful to have contact again and know that some relationships endure. You were a leader at the stone yard. I admired you and felt that you had my back, for whatever reason. With love.

-Amy Brier

For Jose

When I was accepted as an apprentice, Jose was the first person to embrace me. He was like a little brother. I was extremely nervous but he kept telling me I would do well.
If I wasn’t certain about something he was there to guide me. I would observe how he cut stones, and I tell you, it was like magic! One minute there was a giant piece of stone, and the next minute, it was like a beautiful figure had formed. 
He is one of the best people I know. He is also a great family man. The love Jose showed for his wife and son was that of a proud man. He used to bring them to work from time to time. 
Now Jose was not without laughter. Sometimes if I became frustrated, he would laugh but then he would help me out because there was no room for errors, in the Stone Yard. 

-Carol Hazel

For Jose,

When Dean Morton set out to build the tower, 
he was also building a community; 
Jose rose to the challenge on both counts. 
He was the keystone of the stone yard,
without his dedication, hard work and generosity, 
that arch would have failed. 
He was the rock that we all leaned on.
In our innocence, we were all brothers building a Cathedral; 
and I was happy to call him – FRIEND. 

— Nick Fairplay

For Jose,

You get what you give. So I always wished that Jose’s kindness, patience, and respect that he showed to all his apprentices would come back to him tenfold. God bless you, man

-Joe Chiffriller

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The Divine Stone Project has had occasion over the last two years to post several times about Jose and his work. We also have been the grateful recipient of his efforts to bring his colleagues in touch with us. Thank you Jose for all your contributions. Below are some links to other posts involving Jose.

• Apprentice Graduation
• The First Five Stones
• The Starting Five
• 40 years Ago