He has been making me laugh and ponder and have double takes ever since I came across him for the first time. And that was way before I met him in person on a sunny weekday afternoon at a Starbuck’s in Lakewood in 2019. He was not alone. Ben Sclair, who had introduced us via email, was there to bring about that inspiring encounter. Before that, we had been commenting on each other’s columns for ages already.
I guess you already know to whom I’m alluding: Joe Boyle, author of countless wonderful “West Side Stories”, co-author of “Benny’s & Joey’s Quiz“, and creator of many other thought-provoking articles in The Suburban Times. These days, Joe lives in Delaware – which is why we can’t enjoy his wit anymore unless we are personal friends with him. Which, I have the honor to say, he has been ever since that first meeting. Maybe even before.
Over the years, Joe was involved – here I quote him – “with many facets of The City of Lakewood including, rentals, real estate brokerage, a property management company, Crime Free Housing, a Laser sailboat business, and 15 years of crime fighting in Lakewood as a deputy with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.” But when I met him, he was retired already and this gifted writer who penned heart-warming stories and brightened the day for us readers of The Suburban Times. In fact, I couldn’t wait for his column to appear, and I always knew that I would have a good chuckle out of an article as soon as I spotted the headline “West Side Story”.
It was Joe, who unknowingly inspired me to dare start my own column back in the day. And, boy, was I proud when I found his first comment on one of my articles. After we met for the first time, we created a dual column called “Double Take” – and didn’t we have fun figuring the most absurd stories about the strangest photos?! Joe simply has a gift for finding mind-blowing objects and connecting them to hilariously outlandish stories. He has taught me to find my own funny bone and make more use of it, too, I should hope.
There were only two gut punches in our years of friendship. One was when he almost got himself killed in a motorcycle accident near the polar circle. The other was the news at the end of 2020 that he and his wife, Kjeri, would move east to where his children are living. We have been emailing and hanging on the phone with each other ever since, Kjeri sometimes joining in the conversation.
This Memorial Day is also Joe Boyle’s 80th birthday. As there will be no Suburban Times on a bank holiday, I am herewith sending my birthday wishes a little early, for once. Joe, may your great wit and your quill never run blunt, and may you find time and leisure to create a wide, appreciative circle of readers on the East Side of this nation! Your columns are missed over here. So are you. Happy 80th birthday, my friend! Know that I’ll toast to you on your special day.
Happy Birthday, Officer Boyle!
Tim
Happy 80th, Mr. Boyle!
Thank you Susanne for sharing life as you ‘be know it with Joe Boyle. It’s always a blessing to hear about other facets of Joe‘s life. Joseph is he prefers to be called! Joe and Kjeri have been special friends for many years – and we miss them too.
Sharli,
I have been knowing him and been friends with as “Joe”. Different fields, different preferences. I also have nicknames only my best friends, very old, or family use – all different … Think sociolects …;-)
I too sure miss Joe’s mix of humor and wisdom on a weekly basis. Living in Texas as I do now I still enjoy the Suburban Times and look forward to any responses Joe may make to any given article. It’s nice to keep in touch with friends and the old neighborhood.
Good health and more happy years to you Joe.
Just think the whole nation has a day off to celebrate Joe Boyles birthday.
I too miss Joe’s wit and wisdom. Getting to know him while he wore a badge, I learned about his belief of giving back to the community, and he lived that belief.
Well, how ’bout that !! Mine was yestertag, and I am a youngster, compared to you ;-), at 76.
Bappy Hirthday Joe, and may you have many, MANY more !!
EKC
Happy birthday, Eric! 🙂
Joe Boyle is a quality human being. We met while we both worked for the City of Lakewood. Our friendship is enhanced by his wit and wisdom. He has been a mentor and father figure through the years and countless motorcycle adventures in this country. We continue to stay in touch and have humorous phone conversations. Happy Birthday Joe! Keep the laughs coming. Jim Howe
Susanne Bacon and friends,
I am used to putting others in the spotlight. I am not used to being the one who is in the spotlight.
Your kind words are appreciated more than you could ever know and they have helped me slip out of my 70s into my 80s quite comfortably.
Susanne, your heartfelt expression of kindness and support was unexpected and knocked me right out of my loafers.
I actually became confused for a bit. I wondered, did I really read Susanne’s words or was it a dream? Was it in the form of an email or a text?
That helps explain my uncharacteristic lack of a response. I usually always have something to say about any subject. You would certainly expect that I would react with some kind of comment after reading Susanne’s words.
When I went looking in my email and text for Susanne’s writing, I could not find it. When I checked with my wife, she confirmed that no, it was not a dream. I had read the writing of Susanne Bacon to her.
Then I discovered it was a part of your publishing accomplishments in The Suburban Times. Susanne’s words were in one of her columns. Wow!
Now there are only 3 minutes before my birthday is over, so I had better hurry up and say, thanks to all of you, my amazing friends. After reading Susanne’s writing and the reader’s comments, I feel 50 again.
Thank you Susanne Bacon, Timothy Johnson, Sharli, Joan Campion, Paul Nimo, Eric K. Chandler, and Jim Howe.
Your words and well wishes are undescribable. While I have written a response, I cannot find words that are truly adequate to describe how they make me feel.
Joseph Boyle – Now Pushing 90!
P.S. Susanne, are you willing to write something wonderful when I celebrate my 90th birthday?
On your 90th and on your 100th – supposing that I am still alive and that our mutual friend Ben is still willing to put up with me … 😉