I remember the first time i heard about Joe.
I was told by my boss at the time told me "Deckboy, this big legend called Jo is coming on the boat and he sells more trips on this boat then the rest of the Australian travel agents combined, don't screw up!"
I'll never forget this guy bigger than life coming down and jumping aboard like a gymnast and saying "G'day Im big Jo, you must be deckboy" and within 5 minutes we were best friends..
I'll never forget walking over the crest of the hill from the Marina down into Airlie and seeing the traffic built up at the other end of town.. walking further i could see a throng of backpackers taking up one lane of the road and traffic trying to get around the mass of people.
As i got closer i could make out the figure of Jo leading 300 backpackers like the pied piper on a pub crawl again! He owned Airlie Beach, everywhere he went, fun ensued, some of my best memories of life were with Jo. He was awesome to everyone..
When Jo started working on the boats he was aboard the SV Whitehaven and I was on the Derwent Hunter when he 'fell'.
We heard on the radio that Jo was unable to feel his lower body all of a sudden, as a Drs son I knew this wasn't good..
He was living with my father and I at the time and we spared no expense in finding out what had happened.
A strange virus had eroded the nerve in his spine and he lost feeling to his lower body and had to move to brisbane for extensive therapy not afforded in Airlie. Yet despite that, Jo was always one to make the most of a situation and the jokes he would tell at his own expense were utterly hilarious.
I remember often going over to see him and bring him things and he was always welcoming and one of the best friends you could ever hope to meet.
I will always remember him in that light, I will never forget his positivity and energy.
I will miss him often and I'll love that big legend forever..
Rest in Peace Jo, for you were the best of us.

Sending love to all the family.
I'll cherish the times I spent with Joe.
You will be remembered as a special soul who touched everyone he met.
Love Rachel 😘

Fair winds Joe, you made a big impact on everyone who knew you and you won’t be forgotten.

So sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace, now and forever. X