Even death will not stop Chet Fitch from sending Christmas cards to his friends.

His cards, with "Heaven" written as the return address and with his signature on it, were received by his 34 friends before Christmas or two months after Fitch died at age 88.

Citynews.ca quoted Fitch's written message in the cards: "I asked Big Guy if I could sneak back and send some cards. At first he said no; but at my insistence he finally said, 'Oh well, what the heaven, go ahead but don't (tarry) there.' Wish I could tell you about things here but words cannot explain."

A practical joker, Fitch prepared the cards 20 years ago and had asked his barber Patty Dean, 57, to mail them on the first Christmas after he dies. It was meant to be his last joke.

For two decades, Fitch gave Dean the updated mailing addresses of his friends and gave her money for the postage. He gave her extra money when the postage rates went up.

According to Cbsnews.com, Dean said Fitch told her in October, "You must be getting tired of waiting to mail those cards. I think you'll probably be able to mail them this year."

Fitch died a week later and Dean fulfilled his last joke to friends.