Memories:
John Ecker:
I think it was 3 years ago this coming November my oldest
son Matt and I hunted Elk in an area close to where Joe lived. I called him a few months before the season
and asked him if he would guide us and he agreed to do so. We were together for 2 days. During that time he talked about his life and
his family. Joe never had it easy. I did enjoy our time together and we had
planned to do it again the next year but circumstances prevented that from
happening and last year I didn't hunt so never got to see him again.
Let me add that I asked Joe about the "Redskin"
name and his thoughts about changing it to something else. He didn't want the name changed and reminded
me the Neah Bay mascot name is the "Red Devils" and no one better
tell them they needed to change it.
Also as an added note to the story --we did not hunt on
the reservation but we passed through it to get to where we were going. When we brought Joe back to town at end of
the day we stopped at his sons smoked salmon and jerky store. The tribal police followed us in and went
directly to Joe and asked him if he was hunting with white people and he said
yes. They told him tribal law restricted
who he could hunt with and he could never hunt with someone using a state
license. They said they were considering
taking his rifle and issuing him a large fine.
He later told me they never did.
Gracia Feick Peone:
He was my first
crush
Rick Judy:
When I think of Joe I remember him as a really nice
person who always seemed to have a positive outlook. He was one of the first kids I hung out with
on the playground when I moved to Port Townsend from little old Chimacum,
making me feel better about my new surroundings. He was athletic, somebody you really wanted
on your side when we played foam dodge ball in P.E. with his quickness and dead
aim. He was one of only a couple of kids
in P.E. that could scoot up the thirty foot rope in the gym and slap the beam
with no apparent effort.
Dave Marriott:
I know there was a story in the Daily News some years
ago, about Joe being a carver. I think
you may have sent it to me. That is what
encouraged me to talk to Joe prior to our 40th about his work as a carver and
that I was interested in any pieces he was then working on. At the party at Liz’s home on the Golf
Course, I talked with Joe and he showed me a Pook mask he had done. I bought it from him that day and it is
hanging in my office as I write this. I
am proud to have a piece that Joe carved.
It will always give me fond memories of our days in high school and the
special, gentle person he was.
Sharon Sofie:
Tom Moss was bringing a friend's Grand Banks yacht, Her
Way, back to Portland from Pender Harbor, BC, in September, 2011. I was aboard. We pulled into Port Townsend during the
Wooden Boat Festival before continuing on to Port Angeles to fuel up before
heading south to Portland. Thanks to
Tom, we docked in Neah Bay. Tom and I
walked from the marina to a fish shop owned and operated by Joe's brother (?)
Kim or Kym. I entered first and heard
someone say, "There's my high school cheerleader, Sharon Sofie". Joe was sitting on an ice chest full of salmon
which was mostly sold during our visit.
His family was hospitable wanting to share. Joe had amazing recall and we three shared
wonderful school memories. We enjoyed
our afternoon visit and took photos before we left. Joe was healthy and happy and that is how I
will always remember him. Joe was proud
to be a PTHS Redskin as was his brother, Ron.
Rest in Peace, Bro, until we meet again!
Joe,Sharon,Tom at Neah Bay
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