I have always wanted to own a boat, but it was not until five years ago that this dream became a reality for me. The funny think is I did not release then just how much owning a boat would change my life. The camaraderie we have found with boat owners and especially all the new very close friends I now have all came from boating. Lifelong friendships have been forged and I am so lucky and privileged for that.
That is where my friend Joe comes in. I met Joe down here at our marina several years ago and found him to be the kind of person I could call a friend. Someone that was not self centered, someone that cared about others, and someone that would lend a friend a hand at a moments notice. Just around this time last year I heard my friend Joe was diagnosed with cancer. I did not want to believe someone so young could be struck down like this. At the very beginning of the season we was able to put together a small crew of very generous people to wax Joe’s boat and get it ready for the spring splash. Even our local MarineMax pitched in to bottom paint the boat for him. Well we did get it ready and Joe was able to get out on her several times, all along never letting anyone on as to just how serious his condition was. Well yesterday, Saturday January 29th at 8:06am Joe lost his battle with cancer and passed away, he was 40 years old. He put up a courageous battle against a condition where there was no winning, and the entire time his spirits were always up and he never let on to others he was in this battle. He did not want any pity. We will miss him.
That is where my friend Joe comes in. I met Joe down here at our marina several years ago and found him to be the kind of person I could call a friend. Someone that was not self centered, someone that cared about others, and someone that would lend a friend a hand at a moments notice. Just around this time last year I heard my friend Joe was diagnosed with cancer. I did not want to believe someone so young could be struck down like this. At the very beginning of the season we was able to put together a small crew of very generous people to wax Joe’s boat and get it ready for the spring splash. Even our local MarineMax pitched in to bottom paint the boat for him. Well we did get it ready and Joe was able to get out on her several times, all along never letting anyone on as to just how serious his condition was. Well yesterday, Saturday January 29th at 8:06am Joe lost his battle with cancer and passed away, he was 40 years old. He put up a courageous battle against a condition where there was no winning, and the entire time his spirits were always up and he never let on to others he was in this battle. He did not want any pity. We will miss him.
