Joe Hollinger Memorial

Joe Hollinger

July 8, 1962 - January 30, 1995

A Proud Mom Honors Her Son's Life

My som was gregarious, into landscaping, tending bar, and the leather-title scene. As a columnist for The Sentinel, a San Francisco newspaper, he was nominated for a Cable Car Award in 1991.

Joe's partner, Rod Bernal, died in 1988. Rod was the love of Joe's life, a real stabilizing influence. They were a couple of kids, really - just 24 - when Rod got sick. One of the most courageous things Joe ever did was take care of Rod.

My son always assumed that he was HIV-positive. By the time he was tested, he already had the symptoms of full-blown AIDS. But he wanted to stay in San Francisco with his friends, so we helped him out financially.

Eighteen months later, Joe finally moved home in Livermore. It wasn't the first time his father and I had come to the rescue.

He was always a challenge; he had learning disabilities as a child. He was dyslexic and hyperactive. He finally learned to read at 11 or 12 years of age. After that, Joe became an avid reader. But the most difficult days were yet to come.

He was ill for about two years. Those last four months were the hardest of my life, but I would never give them back. We had 24 hours a day with him. Joe died in January of 1995 at age 32.

Sometime later, I discovered the National AIDS Memorial Grove booth at the annual San Francisco Garden Show. It seemed the perfect way to honor Joe's spirit, his love of life and people.

They quickly raised enough in donations from friends and family for inscriptions in the Circle of Friends for both Joe and Rod.

It was a safe place to grieve. At the Grove, you are talking to people who have experienced the same thing, who know what you are talking about. It also keeps us in touch with San Francisco and with Joe's community. Gene and I are always telling people about the Grove and taking them to see it. It's such a symbol of how people can get along.

You just know that Joe would be proud.

I love you son,

Mom