Joseph Martin Fogel
February 27, 1960 – January 22, 2010
Joe used to tease me and call me a “fossil” because I was a whole 2 ½ years older than him. I didn’t like it much, but now that he’s gone, I miss it and I find it most endearing.
We went through the skinned knees, the adolescent turmoil, and the transition into adulthood together.
There are so many memories of Joey and me growing up. So many stories I could tell, but I will just mention a few that stand out for me.
Joe hated bullies. When we were in elementary school, there was a kid named Danny who lived around the block from us who was always picked on because he was considered a “nerd”. One day when Joe and I were riding the school bus back home, a couple boys sitting in the back were shooting spitballs through straws at the back of Danny’s neck, and everyone was laughing at him. When we got off the bus, Joe went over to the two boys and a fight broke out. They got into a brawl and Joe got a black eye, but he also gave them a couple shiners. When acceptance from our peers is first and foremost as adolescents, this action which Joe took was so honorable. Doing the right thing was more important to him than fitting in with any crowd and being accepted. He always had a big heart for the disadvantaged and a passion for always doing the right thing. He never changed and continued to be this way into adulthood.
Back in the early 80’s we had spontaneous ski trips, taking off at 4:00 a.m. in the morning, heading through the desert at high speeds with the stereo blaring to the tunes of Boston and Aerosmith and arriving just in time to hit the ski slopes. Those were the happy-go-lucky days.
Joe drove my VW bug all the way across country to New York where I was living at the time so that I could have my car there. We had the time of our life in Manhattan, riding the subways and taxis, walking the city, and just having him share my life there, meant so much to me.
Joe was looking forward to receiving his MBA this coming May and starting a couple businesses. I was designing the business logos for him. He was excited about getting back to playing piano once he graduated and had more time for it. He was passionate about life, flying his airplane, lived to the fullest and loved learning.
In the last three years before Joe passed from his heart attack, we became closer than ever before and became each other’s confidants. He had a strong presence and was so full of life. Being so tall, strong and athletic he always seemed invincible to me, and I just took it for granted that I’d have him to the end of both our lives. I will be grateful for the one month short of 50 years I had with him, and that our very last words to each other were “I love you”.
I miss you Joey and I will for the rest of my life. I’ll miss your humor, your funny expressions you used to make at me, and yes even teasing me. And all the other ways you loved me as your sister, Lynn Fogel.
Joe is survived by his mother Joan Fogel of Santa Barbara; his father Paul Fogel of Camano Island, WA; his younger sister Becky Morton and brother-in-law, Edward Morton of Lompoc; his nieces Lauryn Fogel-Ramirez , Amanda Morton, and nephew Garrett Morton.