Remembering Joe Onofrio

Just received this note from Gary Bacal, Managing Director of Center Dance Ensemble…
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Hi, Matt.

Did you know Joe Onofrio?  See Wednesday’s Arizona Republic obituary here:  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-onofrio&pid=144208331

As you can see he worked with and for just about everyone–and knew everyone.

When I first came to Arizona in mid-80s, and was working at ATC, four or five of us–I can’t remember all the players–got together in Tucson and put together an Arts Sampler–a package that got the buyer one ticket each to any performance of, as I recall, ATC (me), Ballet Arizona (Chuck Fischl), Arizona Opera (Joe),  the Tucson Symphony (Yvonne Tost Ervin) and I think an admission the Tucson Museum of Art.  We always talked about doing something like that for Phoenix , in fact talked about it a lot at the old Cafe Casino that used to be at 24th and Camelback next to Harkins.  And maybe a broader discount pass or system like ShowUp.com has.  But we never did because all had full-time commitments to our organizations–never broke free like you did from Scottsdale .  I know Joe was intrigued and pleased by the success and growth of ShowUp.

And I thought you’d be as intrigued and pleased to know there was the kernel of the ShowUp idea so many years ago.

 - Gary Bacal
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I’m sorry to say that I didn’t know Joe – but I am truly touched by Gary’s note and his reminder that the work we all are privileged to do today – and the community in which we live – is built on the vision, efforts and spirit of so many capable and passionate people who preceded us.

To everyone who knew Joe, I offer my condolences for the loss of your friend and colleague.

When I asked Gary for permission to reprint his note, he replied, “Sure, Joe loves good publicity.”   Sounds like someone I would have really liked!