Friday, August 11, 2023
I am absolutely devastated to learn of Joe's passing.
Growing up, I lived at the other end of Harvard Ave. Joe, Rob (also on the same street), and I played together all the time.
We spent many summers together doing so many things - like making 8mm movies (The Bionic Man!) and Joe was always the designated hero.
This guy would do every crazy stunt there was.. once jumping like 15+ feet BACKWARDS out of a treehouse so that we could reverse the footage later to make it look like he jumped up into it. Whatever was needed that may be dangerous - this guy did it. Of course he got hurt. And Gail would come out, patch him up, and give us stern looks. So much fun. So many laughs. So much arguing with the 3 of us. Priceless memories.
He & I used to practice pitching baseball in his backyard (it was a big yard) - he would help me with my side arm pitch.
Summer nights of spotlight tag, daytime kickball with him and all the neighborhood kids. I also remember bringing all my "GI Joes" over to his house one time and playing for hours.
And whenever I came to the Shibley house to hang out, he always took time out to beat up his little brother, Ravi, haha (with brotherly love, of course).
When we got a little older, the 3 of us walked to Jr. High every day. I remember having to wait for him on their couch and listening to all the Shibley family chaos of the work/school day getting ramped up. :-)
He was Superman, though. Truly.
To Jenni, I'm sorry you've lost so much in such a short time. And my condolences to Joe's family as well.
To all of you - I send to my thoughts of love and comfort - with the hope that someday I could share more childhood stories of Tiff, Ravi and Joe.
