Feel no guilt in laughter, he'd know how much you care. Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share. You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to. He'd hope that you could carry on the way you always do. So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared, the days you spent together, all the happiness you shared. Let memories surround you, a word someone may say will suddenly recapture a time, an hour or a day, that brings him back as clearly as though he were still here, and fills you with the feeling that he is always near. For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart and he will live forever locked safely within your heard.

Joseph Anthony Zinno was born in Providence, Rhonda Island on November 17, 1923. He was one of seven children. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force. He flew transport planes in three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. he heroically ditched a plane in the Shimonoseki Straits near Japan with a USO troupe abroad just after World War II in January of 1946 and everyone survived!

At Quonset Point, Rhonda Island on April 21, 1976, Joe became the world' first man-powered airplane pilot! His beautiful plane, The Olympian, was designed and crafted by Joe and had 78-foot mylar wings. He was later recognized for his amazing accomplishment by the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, as the first to achieve Man-Powered Flight. The state of Rhode Island subsequently honored him by induction into the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame.Joe was a renaissance man. He was an avid aviator, artist, aeronautical engineer and inventor. His amazing accomplishments didn't stop him from being truly kind. Nobody was too low for Joe, he smiled and greeted everyone cordially and with great interest.

They met in 2005 at a grief group at St. Theresa's church and shortly thereafter they started to date. After spending more time together and traveling they fell in love! They realized they weren't getting any younger and were married on April 21, 2009.

Joe & Sheila loved their time together at home as they eagerly planned their next adventures! Sheila's condo-trades and savvy ideas from Rick Steve's travel guide helped them travel the world in style. They had an amazing time traveling throughout the United States, Africa, Turkey, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Mexico and many other places around the world. Joe was much fun to travel with, he was fun, funny and the perfect docent for museums and concerts. As the years went by, they loved each other more deeply. They felt wonderfully blessed to have been able to find each other and share in their life journey. Joe had an incredible impact on aviation and especially the people in his life. Even though we are filled with great sorrow due to his passing, he will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell. We were all privileged to know this great man during his long 95 years with us. Until we meet again Joe, God bless you.

High Flight

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
- Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."

by John Gillespie Magee Jr.