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Erik Freeman

So dear friend and brother in Christ you have gone Home. Home, where we, your brothers and sisters in Christ all long to be. You ran your race well, encouraging, mentoring, and keeping those around you accountable. You were an example to those of us running with you. I had the honor to serve our Heavenly Father with you for the past 13 plus years.  That time was spent watching and learning from you as you shared the Gospel or your gifts and talents with those whom you came in contact with along with times of just hanging out. This time could have been helping or watching you make some great food for mens breakfast, fall fest or any other occasion you were asked to make your well know meals. I was able to work with you in laboring around the church property, our homes and in Haiti. Although I do seem to have a lot of photos of you supervising us and especially Rebecca Benjamin working around the orphanage in Haiti. You always said I had great timing with taking photos of you and others at would could seem to be the opposite of what was really going on. Like the times you got stuck at the TSA counters as you attempted to sneak contraband in And out of Haiti. Those around us would accuse me of poking the bear too much and they were amazed at how well you took it from me. You know me well enough to understand that my poking of the bear was a way of expressing love and gratitude for your friendship. As my flesh cries my heart and mind rejoice knowing that you are with your earthly and Heavenly Father now in Heaven.  Those of us who are blessed to have been able to spend time with you can only hope that we can impact those around us like the way you had an impact and I’m sure you will continue to have an impact.  We know where you are and look forward to spending the rest of eternity with you in Heaven worshiping our Lord and Savior once He calls us home.

We all will miss you Joe, thank you for being a great friend, see you in time!

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Big Joe was a huge part of our lives every LFE season.  He was not only one of the cornerstones of the program, he approached everything he did with the same perspective of focusing on what created the best environment for his players.  On the court, he was uniquely able to call the game in a way that allowed the beginning players to develop and the more experienced players to be challenged.  At the scoreboard, he made sure the kids were comfortable and he helped them when they struggled.  In the stands, he cheered for his grandkids, but celebrated all the kids.  And every day he had a big smile that you knew was only matched by the size of his heart.  Our program will miss him and he will always be warmly remembered by the Templeton family.  Rest In Peace Joe!

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I am going to miss Joe. We worked together in children's ministry at our church. We knew we couldn't sit next to each other during meetings because we would just talk and joke around the whole time. Getting dirty looks from the director(Deb) who tried to keep us on track.
Joe loved my kids. Giving them hugs and high fives on their way by in the children's wing or the sanctuary. Always helping out when he saw me coming with my arms full.
I will miss him, but I will see him again

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I received a text message this afternoon from Joe Eppolito’s phone, but the message was from his wife Debbie. I immediately thought that this could be good news like an invite to a surprise birthday party or it could be really bad news. Unfortunately, it was the saddest news possible as Debbie was calling me to let me know of Joe’s passing. Joe was my customer, my coworker and best of all, my friend of almost 25 years. In recent years, we would catch up every so often for lunch or a phone call and not miss a beat, but given this sad news, we didn’t get together as much as we should have! Joe was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a son, and a brother. A Navy Veteran and a true Patriot to his core. He spent his life in service to others. Joe will be remembered as a great family man and as a fine Christian gentlemen. He surely will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him. Well done Joe! God speed my friend...Sean DeHaven

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I received a text message this afternoon from Joe Eppolito’s phone, but the message was from his wife Debbie. I immediately thought that this could be good news like an invite to a surprise birthday party or it could be really bad news. Unfortunately, it was the saddest news possible as Debbie was calling me to let me know of Joe’s passing. Joe was my customer, my coworker and best of all, my friend of almost 25 years. In recent years, we would catch up every so often for lunch or a phone call and not miss a beat, but given this sad news, we didn’t get together as much as we should have! Joe was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a son, and a brother. A Navy Veteran and a true Patriot to his core. He spent his life in service to others. Joe will be remembered as a great family man and as a fine Christian gentlemen. He surely will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him. Well done Joe! God speed my friend...Sean DeHaven

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Albert Einstein said, “The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.” In one word, Joe Eppolito was a man who gave. He gave much to his work at Somerset Ambulatory Surgical Center.  He gave to our patients, to our physicians and to our staff. Joe came to the Somerset ASC back in 2017 and he gave us commitment, knowledge, expertise and most of all he gave of himself. Joe had a great sense of humor and demeanor.  Staff enjoyed when Joe would walk into the room. He would often speak to me about his personal experiences outside work. His work with his local church, his giving to others less fortunate. So I would like to speak in celebration of his life. Here was a life that demand notice….a life that exemplified brilliance…a life that inspired emulation…a life that burned so that others’ paths were lit. We are all better people for having the opportunity to know Joe Eppolito. Rest in peace Joe.               Larry Pecora Administrator Somerset ASC   

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Albert Einstein said, “The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.” In one word, Joe Eppolito was a man who gave. He gave much to his work at Somerset Ambulatory Surgical Center.  He gave to our patients, to our physicians and to our staff. Joe came to the Somerset ASC back in 2017 and he gave us commitment, knowledge, expertise and most of all he gave of himself. Joe had a great sense of humor and demeanor.  Staff enjoyed when Joe would walk into the room. He would often speak to me about his personal experiences outside work. His work with his local church, his giving to others less fortunate. So I would like to speak in celebration of his life. Here was a life that demand notice….a life that exemplified brilliance…a life that inspired emulation…a life that burned so that others’ paths were lit. We are all better people for having the opportunity to know Joe Eppolito. Rest in peace Joe.               Larry Pecora Administrator Somerset ASC   

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So I’ve been at bucks for almost 7 years. Not long after I got to Bucks, I met this guy Joe while volunteering for the tech ministry. He worked the sound board. No matter what was going on, this guy was all smiles and he LOVED to mess with people with his quick wit. Tech practice was a blast. Then I went to a men’s breakfast and Joe was cooking and I knew he also taught Sunday school and coached basketball. I was like “is there anything this guy doesn’t do?!” I started talking to him about cooking, life, and Christ and before I knew it, I was cooking with him at fall fest, on men’s retreat, the father son camping trip, and sometimes for men’s breakfast. We had so many great times and awesome conversations over cooking. Then two years ago I drove up to men’s retreat with Joe and we had almost two hours to chat it up. We talked long and hard about how much Christ loves us and how hard it is to try to live like Christ, we talked about trying to reflect Christ in our marriages, and mistakes we’ve made. On that drive, I asked Joe if he minded being my accountability partner because his wisdom and great experience was priceless and I needed a mentor to better my life for Christ. So I ended up being his sous chef for church events, and kind of his sous chef in living like Christ. A few weeks ago, Joe passed the torch to Joe Zayas and myself for cooking for Bucks since his knees and other issues just wouldn’t let him do it anymore. He walked us through the shopping for the retreat, talk to us about recipes, and techniques. Right before retreat, before Joe got sick, I was fortunate enough to speak with him for a half hour on the phone and I had told him in our men’s fraternity, our homework was to call someone who was  our hero in Christ and I just HAD to call him. We had deep conversation, we both became blubbery messes, and we said we loved each other. I replay that call in my mind EVERY day and I will NEVER forget Joe or all of the things he has taught me. He was one of my best friends, my mentor, my confidant, and like a brother/father who I loved with all my heart. I know we’ll be reunited one day in Heaven and oh what a joyous day that will be. Love you and miss you Joe!

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Joe was one of the nicest person's I have ever meet. He always had a smile I never seen him mad. He was funny you could joke with him. He had a kind heart both my wife and I experienced how Joe would always make sure you never felt like the new person or and outsider he always said hello and had an encouraging word. So many things I would love to say. Joe you deserve the joy you are experiencing right now. Good for you. Save me a seat at the marriage feast!

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Joe worked for Vizient as a Supply Chain Executive.  He was an expert in supply chain operations and materials management with a long history of consulting and serving across the eastern portion of the United States.  While working in Maryland with Vizient, Joe’s leadership was instrumental to ramping up the Laurel Regional Hospital and establishing hospital operations.  Joe ensured the facility and staff were ready with the appropriate supplies, equipment and support needed for 24 hour, seven day a week operations as part of the Maryland State COVID-19 pandemic response operation.  Joe worked tirelessly to ensure the facility was ready on very short notice.  His efforts enabled the provision of care to countless patients through that facility and others as he collaborated with seven other locations supported by Vizient across the state of Maryland.  As an expert, Joe ensured hospital staff, Vizient and Maryland state officials were apprised of their operational capability and that Laurel Regional Hospital remained ready to support the staff and patients coming to that facility.  Joe was a trusted Supply Chain Executive, an expert in his trade—but he will be most missed for his sense of humor, his laugh and his friendship.