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Garfield Heights School Board Member Retired Firefighter/Paramedic
Joe Juby was a lifelong resident of Garfield Heights and a community leader. He was a kind and generous man who lived a life surrounded by friends and family who loved him.
Since November 2020, Joe demonstrated his courage and strength as he battled back from over six months of COVID hospitalizations and more than a year of physical therapy to get back to nearly all of his daily activities. In August, Joe learned he had pancreatic cancer. Despite the challenge this presented, Joe always put his family first making time to see his grandchildren's sporting events, trips to the zoo, and cooking Sunday dinners until he passed away on October 1.
Joe and his wife Anita were married for 52 years. They have three children: Mike (Shannon), Pam Kolar [deceased] (Bryan) and Joe (Ashley). Joe was adored by eight grandchildren: Matthew, Nicolette, Donovan, Addison, Brayden, Brycen, Gianna, and Everly, who called him Papa.
In 2020 Joe and Anita celebrated their 50th anniversary with all the kids and grandkids in Jamaica and renewed their vows on the beach at sunset. They enjoyed traveling the world together. They attended two Oktoberfests in Germany, watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle at sunset, cruised down the Danube River, and fed koalas in Australia. During their tour of Italy, Joe discovered his favorite Italian wine and always made sure his wine room was fully stocked to share a glass with his family and friends.
Joe was a star basketball player holding the Garfield High scoring record for many years. Following high school, Joe dedicated his life to serving the community. He was one of the first paramedics in Cuyahoga County and continued to serve as a Garfield Heights Firefighter/Paramedic for 26 years. Additionally, he held union leadership positions for over 30 years as President of the Garfield Heights Firefighters Union and Secretary/ Treasurer of Northern Ohio Firefighters Union.
For 19 years, Joe proudly served on the Garfield Heights Board of Education as a member, Vice President and President. He was also very active volunteering in the community including being elected as President and Treasurer of Garfield High Athletic Booster Club. He loved coaching his kids' baseball and basketball teams along with enjoying rounds of golf, softball, and darts.
Joe has always been an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, especially football and basketball, which grew when his daughter, son-in law, and granddaughter graduated from The Ohio State University. One of Joe's favorite times of year was March Madness as he made a tradition of going to Las Vegas for 1st Round with family and friends to cheer on the Buckeyes.
Joe was a remarkable chef. He honed his skills as the primary cook at the firehouse and held annual clambakes for the shifts. He wasn't German but made the best schnitzel, he wasn't Italian, but made the best wedding soup and veal saltimbocca, he wasn't Hungarian, but made the best chicken paprikash. He loved cooking and even when he was sick and unable to eat, watched The Food Network. His house is where everyone gathered for holidays. Whenever anyone came to the house his comment was "Come and eat there is always room for one more at the table."
Joe didn't tell anyone how to live, he showed by example how to be a good parent, spouse, sibling, neighbor, and friend. Whatever the role, he was the gold standard. He will be missed by all who have known him.
Family and friends may call at GOLUBSKI DELIBERATO FUNERAL HOME (AT VODRAZKA FUNERAL HOME) 6505 BRECKSVILLE RD., INDEPENDENCE for Visitation on Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 2-8pm. Prayers at the funeral home Monday, October 10 at 9:15am, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Therese Church at 10:00am. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in memory of Joe to a charity of choice.
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