I’ve known Joel for 30 years. I’ve watched in awe as this sweet boy grew into an amazing young man which words fail to describe. The precious memories will live in my heart forever. All my love and prayers nearly seem enough. Fly high, and continue to share the love that will forever remain.

I known Joel henderson for many years and he was very close in age with me. One of my best memories of Joel was when he was working at the office. I would stop by and say hi and drop off hot sauce. Then some times we would have the hottest sauce challenges but I’m pretty sure that Joel is number one champion. I know this for a fact I love him as a brother,
Joseph McCurry

Joel was an incredibly smart, funny, creative and kind person. He always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye and had a way of making you feel like you were part of the “inside joke” with him.

I’ll never forget first meeting him in 5th grade. I had just moved to a new school and had no friends there yet. At recess I was sitting by myself watching everyone and I could see 4 kids playing away from all the rest. I approached them and Joel introduced himself, “Hi I’m Joel but you can call me Doug”, he explained that they all had nicknames from the cartoon show and then he offered to give me one too. Just like that he made me feel accepted.

My heart goes out to his family and friends right now. Joel was a true legend and will be sorely missed.

Rest In Peace Doug

Joel was truly the most remarkable person I’ve ever known. His ability to know just what someone else needed was uncanny. From ridiculous mixed CDs, to a funny film, to a Sunkist, he was thoughtful and inspiring to those around him. I have kept him in my thoughts for 20 years and will miss him terribly, as will dozens and dozens of other people that he has touched. Words cannot express the loss of him in this world, but I know he’s causing a ruckus up in Heaven! Nan, Jim, Jacky, and Steve, my most sincere condolences. Our lives have all been brighter because we were blessed to have had him in them. He will never be forgotten and always be cherished.

Joel was one of funniest people I had the pleasure of knowing. He was one of the best teammates I had growing up with from all our r c United and highschool games to Rochester fire! We had a lot of good times from all the Chinese fire drills we had coming home from indoor games to driving around the traffics circle as many times as we scored. He was such a joy to have around. I definitely considered him a brother and always will. Jim, Nan, Jacklyn and Steve you have my dearest condolences I love you guys you guys are family. Rest In Peace Joel “Doug” you will always be my left wing and I’ll forever be your left defense!!

Joel with be missed dearly by so many. He was always kind and funny. He was very good friends with my brother and I always enjoyed his presence. One of the few of my brothers friends who didn’t terrorize me as most of them found it to be hilarious. Joel had a light to him that made people smile and laugh. He always knew how to make conversation no matter the company he had. My condolences to his family and friends. May you all find peace in his memory

Nan, Jim & Jaclyn,
We remember when Joel was born. What a tragic loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathy.

We had the pleasure of knowing Joel for the better part of a decade. While our time was limited, we can attest to all the wonderful things above. Joel’s spirit was one that brought light all places it went. First time I visited with Joel, he was in his office. It was a perfect, as only he know where everything was and how to access it 🙂 We brought our family down for the annual WCH party and I remember how kind Joel was to our young daughter, always including everyone around him and making people feel special. The best times I spent with Joel was sharing a meal. We had a cook off between Jim and myself with him and Nan as judges. It was a tie! But we all won as we got to enjoy great food, wine and the company on one another.

Rest in peace Joel. Eternal Blessings

I have worked in education for almost 30 years and in that time I have had the opportunity to coach many young men and young women. In my mind they are almost fixed at those moments. Yes, they have gone on to do amazing things and I have loved hearing everyone of those accomplishments. Good news is good. Rarely have I received the other news.

There are moments in time of your life that stick in your mind. One such memory is of a cold early overcast spring afternoon in NH. A coach is standing on the track frustrated that a young athlete does not truly believe he has the talent he does. A group of 8 to 10 boys has been winnowed done to one. The request two back to back quarters at 72 seconds. The group had spent the first part of practice screwing around and not taking the workout seriously. The coach, frustrated, annoyed, wanting to impart a lesson pushed hard. The young man is angry and frustrated he believes this is an insurmountable wall. Finally long after the others accomplished the task, the young man completes the impossible. He leaves the track knowing what he did but not believing it, also angry at that bastard of a coach. The kid sticks it out in the season. Hanging with the pack. Keeping a low profile around the coach. Fast forward to the week class meets. The young man found himself as first alternate on the 4×800 team. Alternate, like understudy a nice place to be. Fate intervenes and one of the four is out. Time for the alternate. Uh ,oh, the young man’s doubt bubbles up and out. He quietly approaches the coach. “I am not good enough coach what happens if I let the team down.” Coach” you won’t, you are that talented think how fast you ran after all those 400s earlier in the season.” The conversation repeats through out the week before the meet. Day of meet and the kid is now alternating following the coach and his team mates like a lost puppy dog. Still looking for assurances or a way out. The race arrives….. The team places in the top of the meet and makes it to the state meet. The young man PRs and floats of the track a confident and self assured young adult…

You always were that good you just needed to believe in yourself. God speed

Unfortunately we never met Joel as Nan and Jim are friends of ours from N.H. However, knowing his parents is enough to demonstrate that Joel was a most remarkable young man and son. From these tributes written by friends is more proof of his immense character. We are truly sorry we never met! May God bless the Henderson family and give them peace and comfort at this most devastating time. We love you Jim and Nan!

Jim and Nan, reading all these tributes to Joel has left me in tears. Though you have lived out of state from me all his life, through your stories and all these heart-felt tributes, I feel like I have come to know the true essence of who Joel was and how much he impacted the lives of those who knew him. What a precious and amazing young man and one whom you can be so proud of. He was so blessed to be raised in such a loving and supportive family. As you plan for his memorial services, know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family and friends who will be together celebrating his life. Sending much love to you all during this difficult time.

Jim, Nan and Jaclyn,
We are so so sorry to learn of Joel’s passing. He is remembered by us as he was as a child, when we had the pleasure of Joel and Jaclyn frequenting our home. Fun loving, caring, sweet and full of spirit. Those memories will live on and we look forward to the day we see him again, to reunite. We are proud of the man he became, as we know you are too. He was a part of our story and will remain in our memories. True deep tears were shed by us at your loss. The pain is there , the memories will always be with us as we heal.

Dear friends,
I will always remember Joel’s infectious smile and genuine laugh. His sense of humor and loving personality will be missed by many and remembered forever.
Sue Huff

I bet you’d have loved Brady’s last Super Bowl
RIP kid