Monday, January 29, 2024
The photos and words tell it all. Joel was full of life...full of that famous smile and trademark laugh (giggle). Comforting and consistent....he would always find joy and humour in the simplest things, seeing what some of us might not see....that was one of his greatest gifts to all of us. Riding in the back of Jim Drapers van (with whoever else needed a ride) on the way to Forest, Glencoe, Lucan....there was always laughter joking about the simple things. If he had a mean streak, he hid it well. Yes, he would come to your defence. Extremely stoic as a friend and a team mate. Living in the moment....Joel was good at that: Playing bar tender with Vinny at a Bulldogs team party, being one of Smibes 'clones,' for the Bulldogs, dressing as a clone (with Nort) at the famous Carston Munch Halloween party or taking that Honda Civic all over North American...Joel seemed to just take the ball and run with it.
He just 'brang it.' Victories? lots. Mistakes? Like the rest of us. What he did, was he left us with something. He left us with moments. He left us with memories that we will never forget (like the one Gord recounted). Joel, thanks for growing with us and for being a part of our lives. We are all the richer for it. Your stories, your smile, your laugh and all the memories will live out our lifetimes. God Bless you.
