Rigg Zelaya
Joie A. Carrero Jr. was born in Miami, Florida, on August 24th, 1936. He was a descendent of a Spanish American (Spaniard) and an American mother from Ohio. Joie and his six brothers and sisters were raised by his father, Joie A. Carrero, Sr.
At an early date, he was diagnosed with asthma and could not attend school regularly. His father constantly talked to doctors and tried to find medications that would restore his health while the other siblings attended school and lived a normal life. When he was 8 years old, his health finally improved with a new medication, and he started getting ahead in school until he finally graduated.
Joie liked sports and began participating in sport-related activities in school. During a scouting visit, famous baseball player Joe DiMaggio came to Miami and tried to recruit kids for a future career in baseball. Joie ended up being one that was recruited from Miami because of his good ball-playing skills. When the opportunity arose, he went to play for the St. Luis Cardinals.
Due to a hand injury and nine surgeries afterward to correct the damages suffered, his career baseball ended. A few years later, he was trained to play football for the Chicago Bears and played successfully until his contract ended because the team was restructured and some players were laid off. Joie's ball career suffered, and he did not accomplish his dreams of being a regular player for the Bears.
Joie came back to Miami to find a job and was hired by the police department, as a Constable. The job only lasted until Dade County (now Miami-Dade County) reorganized the new Public Safety Department.
Joie worked in different fields, but he always said that the Lord watched him all the time and he found opportunities to "stand for the Lord" wherever he went to work. He wanted to be the perfect servant for the Lord, always ready for the challenges, "still standing” he used to say.
Years went by and the Lord was merciful. He met a Cuban lady, Maria Rosa Gonzalez, who had been praying for a positive change in her life and prayed on her knees that the Lord would bring a man to her life who was Christian (very important for her) who had no vices (no alcohol, drugs or smoking habits) and who would treat her like a lady. The Lord introduced them in a business meeting looking to start a new positive life.
Three months later, they married in a Christian church and during a beautiful ceremony with his son Mike posing as his best man and Maria Rosa having her uncle walking her to the altar.
Forty-two years later they talked about the perfect matrimony where the two turned into one with love and respect. A perfect marriage that ended with a positive outlook because Joie got sick and had to go with the Lord to rest from suffering. Maria Rosa could not have found a better husband and a better partner with the love, respect, and treatment from a real “gentleman”, who always opened the door for her to enter the car, and the Lord helped them grow into ONE. Praise His Name!
As recalled by Maria Rosa Carrero, May 12th, 2026
