We celebrated the beautiful life of my grandson Joel by working for Habitat for Humanity
It was our way of letting his goodness shine,
Members of Joel’s family outside of the Jacksonville Florida Habitat for Humanity home where they worked. Joel’s mother Monica is third from left in front row. His sister Julia is the first on the right in front roll. Don, his father, is in the back row on the right. Jane, another sister, is not shown.
Joel Patterson Byrne died in his sleep from unknown causes. He was only 15. If he had continued the life he was living, he would have been, well, a good person. Really good,
Because he saw Christ in everyone, he put in practice the spirit of the Eight Beatitudes. Comfort the “poor in spirit,” the “meek,” those left behind and excluded. He did good works, helping the rejected and volunteering for civic and charitable projects. His classmates looked up to him for his hard work, courage and compassion. And goofiness.
Clifton, Virginia established an academic scholarship in his name because he contributed so much to his community. His Robinson High School established the Joel Byrne Memorial Sportsmanship Award. A coach said of him:
His life was rich with faith, family, friends, and especially sport. He was an avid athlete, amazing son, cousin, and grandson, and a fun, humble, and goofy all-around great kid. He valued his many communities—his hometown of Clifton, his many friends, and his teammates between soccer, track, basketball, and football.
He read the Bible daily and openly in quiet moments after school, “without shame or pride,” said a classmate.
I thought I knew my grandson as a kind and hard-working kid. Tragically, he had to die before I learned whom he really was. It was then that I learned how much he was loved and respected—by seemingly everyone. At his wake, the line of mourners zigzagged out the door, into the rain. At his funeral, more than 1,200 packed the church, filling every seat and leaving many more standing,
“Fly high,” his classmates wrote at his many makeshift memorials at school. “What would Joel do?” asked his family, friends, teachers and more. A charitable fund called, “Let Goodness Shine” was created. (There and here, you can read his many remembrances and testimonials, and directions for how to contribute)
People began picking up litter while walking, because that’s what Joel did. His father’s company, Check Point/Avanan, sprang into action organizing a “What Would Joel Do” week in his honor. Joel’s aunt, Kati Spaniak, held a fundraiser in Northbrook, Illinois.
Joel’s extended family in Jacksonville, Florida, joined together to let his “goodness shine” at a local Habitat for Humanity Home (pictured above). On a boiling hot day, 22 young and old showed up to paint and more. The experience was rewarding and touching. We all were greatly impressed by the local group, Habijax, Their organizing and professionalism were truly remarkable.
We heartily recommend Habitat if you are looking for a volunteer organization to “pay it forward.” We certainly would appreciate anything else you would do to keep Joel’s example alive
Joel is alive in our hearts and minds. We have been blessed to have him in our family, Who in such a short time has been a model for how we should live our own lives?