Sep
10
2009

Joe To The O

joey oey memorial

Joey and Susie

I’ve been sitting in front of my computer for the past three days avoiding writing today’s post.  Yesterday, I sat down about five times, only to draw a blank.  I’ve been in such a great mood, and I’m used to always being funny on this site but I don’t really see how I can be today.

I moved down to the South about seven years ago.  Years before that, I lived with my best friends and one of them came to me one day and said “I’m moving to Charlotte”, and when I asked him when he told me, “In about three hours.”

That’s Joey.  Our friendship goes back to when I was just ten years old.  He and my sister dated for quite some time and even when they weren’t dating, they stayed friends.  He was friends with my entire family and remained so, even when he had moved away.

Since I worked for the airlines, I could travel the world for free at will.  I made it a point to visit Joe in Charlotte once a month from the time he moved and he called me weekly to check in.  He was my best friend.  I’ve never had a friend quite like him.

joey o'neill

I have stories I’m going to be telling this month.  I’m doing this in honor of Joe.  You see, years after Joe moved here, I met my husband on one of my trips down to visit him.  I’d come back monthly to hang out with Joey and I gradually got to know Ryan better.  Just two months after finally moving here myself, Joe died.

I remember the last time I saw him.  We had gone to Murphy’s for karaoke and he made me sing Meatloaf.  I asked him about ten times “Are you sure?” and he insisted we sing one of their songs.  Reluctantly, I went up on the stage with him and did my part but Joe sang the entire song singing only the word “La”.  Once we finished the song, the DJ told us no one was ever allowed to attempt a Meatloaf song AGAIN.

Everyone at Murphy's

Everyone at Murphy's

Two weeks later, I got a voicemail on my cell phone from him telling me “not to take Harris, because there was an accident.” and I figured I’d call him later on.  I never made that phone call that day and the following day I woke up to go to Atlanta with some friends to see Jimmy Buffet.

Once Ryan and I got to Atlanta, we were approached by our friends and sat down.  They told us Joe had drowned in the pool in the back yard.  I don’t remember anything else.  I just remember picking up Ryan’s phone and making a call.  I called Casey, my ex, and told him to sit down.  He was at his company picnic.  I told him what had happened and I told him he needs to go to my sister, I didn’t want her to hear the news by phone.

I’m not going into the details of who told who and what happened, that is just too painful for me.  The point of this is that shortly before he died, Joe told some of our friends that he was interested in starting a charity golf tournament to raise money for kids.  He’d just donated his hair to “locks of love” and was always looking to help people out.

After Joey died, our friends decided to go through with Joe’s thought, only to create a memorial scholarship in Joe’s name at the high school he and I went to.  I love this scholarship.  It’s not for the A student, it’s for the kid in school who is active and clearly tries his/her best but carries a B or C average.  It’s perfect.

You can find the Joey Oey page on Facebook and get a little more information, as well as lots of pictures from tournaments past and some of Joey.  This is the sixth year of this tournament and it’s always a great time.  It’s not your conventional tournament, it’s the Joey Oey.  People get prizes for best team costume (although the more serious golfers don’t dress up), longest drive and because of Ryan the “drunkest team” award has been discontinued.

Last year at the tourney

Last year at the tourney

The Joey Oey is officially a non-profit now and gets donations and sponsorship from major brands like AAA and the Charlotte Bobcats as well as personal donations and group sponsorships.  You can sponsor a hole for $150 or donate items valued about the same for prizes.

This year’s Joey Oey is coming up on September 26, 2009 and we’re still looking for sponsors and donations.  If you have any interest in joining up, please contact me via the “contact” button at the top of my page and I’ll arrange everything for you or your company.

In addition, I’d be happy to promote your company or product on my websites, if desired.  It could be via a free ad placed or a review or giveaway of your product or service.  Please just let me know and I’ll be happy to work with you or your company for this cause.

That’s about all I have in me.  It breaks my heart to think about the sadness of losing my best friend.  Instead, I’m going to tell stories that will make you laugh.  Well, they’ll make ME laugh.  Stories of road trips, 100 keggers and tales from tournaments past to celebrate Joe’s life.  Thanks so much for reading.

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Written by Julie in: Uncategorized

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