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Joel Portuese Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Joel Portuese
Sarah Fernandez
February 28, 2008
Dear Prtuese faimly I am very sorry for your loss Joel was a great man and also a great uncle to me I love him and miss him a lot but no matter what he is still in our hearts and he left us great memories
Kayla Kent
November 11, 2007
The Portuese family,
I'm so sorry for your loss, Joel was a nice guy, and he will be missed. If Chelsea ever needs someone to talk to, i'm here for her. Your in my prayers.
The Oakley Family
October 31, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Children far and wide will remember your husband and father with such admiration, strength, patience and kindness. They will surely grow up with respect for a man that added so greatly to their childhood. Grown-ups alike will also remember a wonderful man that took the time to volunteer, to lead, teach and share with their children and to be the father, husband, friend and family member, that touched so many others. Thank you for being so kind as to share your wonderful man with all of us.
Jeff Keen
October 29, 2007
Kate,
I knew Joel from the West Point Prep School Lacrosse Team, our time at the Academy and later in the Army at Fort Sill, OK. Joel always brought a smile to my face as a good friend and fine person. I will always remember him as a funny and caring person who was always there for friend.
I know that there aren't sufficient words to ease your pain and sorrow during this time. God bless you and your family.
Jeff
John Mitchell
October 27, 2007
Dear Kate and Family
I had known Joel my whole life growing up in Hicksville and attending Bethpage together. We grew up around the corner from each other.
We both went through the application process to West Point together. I was recruted for soccer and Joel for Lacrosse. I didn't atend West Point after finding out late in our senior year that I failed the medical. I attended Rutgers instead. I remeber Joel as a plebe attending the first game Rutgers played at West Point! i remeber it more for Joel getting into trouble for cheering the goal I scored during the game and him saying after the game..."who cares, you are my friend!". That was Joel in a nutshell! He cared about freinds an family. He always had a smile and made people feel happy!
We are not able to attend the funeral because we are overseas!
Please pass on all the details of his burial site and I will make apoint of going to see the burial site the next time I am in the area!
Heaven has a great friend, soldier, man and father!!! He is already missed around the world!!!!!
Preston Scott
October 25, 2007
Kate,
You and I have never met, but Joel and I were friends for several years. I met him at Fort Monroe on the soccer field. We later ran together during the Shamrock marathon in 2004. Joel was an example for all to follow and he will be dearly missed.
Geralyn Romano
October 25, 2007
Dear Kate, I am one of the lucky people to have been friends with Joel. He was a wonderful person. I enjoyed each time he came home to Bethpage for a visit. My love and prayers are for you, your children and the Portuese family.
Joel, you were one of the great ones and I will miss you.
SGT Kim Williams
October 25, 2007
I was deeply saddened to hear the news about the death of LTC Portuese our Military Family Member. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. During this difficult time, I know you will draw upon your own strength and the strength of loved ones that hold you in their thoughts. Remember the world is filled with people who care about you and are thinking about you in this difficult time of sorrow.
Tony & Leslie Vladu
October 25, 2007
Kate-
Tony and I are keeping you and the children in our thoughts and prayers. We are so incredibly sorry your loss. I know the pain must be great but I pray for the day when you all can think of Joel/Dad with nothing but smiles and happy memories. Those kids could not have asked for a better father....for that I know you are eternally grateful.
Mike Gazarik
October 25, 2007
Kate,
Joel contributed so much to Yorktown Lacrosse, and our entire community. I will forever be grateful for all of the help he gave Michelle last spring. Joel is a role model that we all look up to. We are here to help with whatever you need in the times ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Jan McMillan
October 25, 2007
May God comfort and guide you on this difficult journey.
Charles Pendleton (Grafton Titans)
Eddie Norris
October 25, 2007
Joel was a great friend and brother in Christ and Arms. His love for God, family, and sports was evident when I first met him on the baseball fields of York County and continued to shine through on our weekends of Reserve duty. Joel will be missed by all who had the good fortune to cross his path.
Brandon & Stacy Wagoner
October 25, 2007
Kate & family - It is with deepest sympathy and sorrow that we send this note to you. The Tabb High School Lacrosse players, coaches & administrative staff will keep you in our hearts & prayers during this very difficult time. Please know that the lacrosse community at large has such fond memories of Joel. He always had a positive spirit and energy that was unmatched. His passing has left a huge deficit that will not soon be replaced. Sincerely, On behalf of Tabb High School Lacrosse, Jake Purnell, Mike Hehir, Brandon & Stacy Wagoner & Kent Stitt.
Mike and Michelle Gazarik
October 25, 2007
Dearest Kate, children, and Portuese family,
On behalf of the Yorktown Titans lacrosse community and others at Hampton Roads LAX, we share in your loss and offer our condolences to you. Joel has coached so many boys and girls in the game of lacrosse, especially in his favorite position of goalie. His legacy lives on everytime we look towards the goal. His untiring dedication not only to you but to others illustrates what a wonderful person he was, both on and off the field. He will be remembered for his passion for living life to its fullest, and sharing all that it had to offer with others. He received more joy helping rather than being helped. His memory will continue to inspire us of God's plan and our purpose. With comforting thoughts and prayers,
The Yorktown Lacrosse Community
Lisa Lauer
October 25, 2007
May God's love bring you a comfort and peace that passeth all understanding. You are in my every thought & prayer. I am here for you.
Much Love,
Lisa Lauer
Pat King
October 25, 2007
I was so saddened to hear of your loss. I know what it is like to lose a spouse, but I know no two situations are the same. You have my deepest sympathy during this time of grief. If you (Kate) ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.
Nicole, Amanda, Alyssa Carroll
October 24, 2007
The news is heart wrenching. I am saddened by the news, I have thought of you all hundreds of times since Saturday. Our entire family is praying for your peace at this time. As your anxious heart with so many questions is torn with pain, know that your vision will clear only after your eyes are washed with tears. So, take heart my friend, if you do not understand what is happening today look to God's loving hand that only gives what his loving heart dictates. We pray you will find comfort in this storm.
Kathy Barrett
October 24, 2007
Kate, Chelsea, Madison and Spencer,
I am so saddened by the news. Your husband/ dad was indeed a great guy who will be missed tremendously by everyone who knew him. I'm praying for your comfort during this very sad, sad time.
Jim and Debbie Wells
October 24, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Joel will be missed as a neighbor and friend.
Lynn Gray
October 24, 2007
Mrs. Portuese and children,
Please accept my deepest sympathy. I pray your many beautiful memories will always be close in your hearts.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
The Staff of York County Parks and Recreation
October 24, 2007
To The Portuese Family,
We are very grateful to have had the privilege of Joe's service to this community as a volunteer coach for so many years. He was outstanding in every way and known as a person who was encouraging, knowledgeable, committed, and passionate. Because of these traits, he was deeply respected by the children and parents who were associated with the teams he coached.
We applaud his volunteer service to the citizens of York County and his service to our country while he was in the military. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dale Fye
October 24, 2007
Kate,
My wife (Beth) and I both worked with Joel while he was at Cadet Command, and were both sorry to see him leave active duty when he left. When I ran into him a couple of months ago at J9 we sat down and talked, but not as much as I would have liked. Beth and I will keep you and the kids in our prayers.
Mary Cain
October 24, 2007
Kate and KIds, We are praying for you all that the Lord will comfort you and guide you in the days to come. If you need anything just give us a yell.
Mary. Tim. Allyssabeth. Michael and Johnathan Cain
Renee Kent
October 24, 2007
Kate,
I am praying for you and the children. Joel was a wonderful person and someone that my son, Travis, looked up to. I am so sorry. I will always be there for you and your children. Love, Renee
Bill and Julie Davisson
October 24, 2007
Kate: Our hearts are utterly broken with this news as I'm sure yours is also. We will always remember what a great friend and a great person Joel was, and how devoted he was to you and his family. We are here as a source of support to you and the children for whatever you need. Please know our prayers are with you now.
Chuck Wall
October 24, 2007
My prayers go out to the family of my friend and colleague. May god watch over you, comfort you, and keep you close to your faith. May our loving thoughts and memories of Joel never fade. Please know that he is truly missed.
Stacie Bailey
October 24, 2007
Kate,
We are lifting your family up in prayer and are praying for the peace of the Lord to comfort your family during this difficult time.
My deepest symathy,
Stacie Bailey
Carolyn Hawkins
October 24, 2007
Kate,
Joel worked in the office next to mine. His smile and friendly face will be soarly missed. His love for family will always be remembered.
Carolyn & Tony Hawkins
Laine Elliott
October 24, 2007
I'll really miss him.
Tammy Guy
October 24, 2007
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
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