Joel M. Van Citters

1949 - 2015

Van Citters, Joel M
Feb. 23, 1949 - Mar. 13, 2015
Joel M. Van Citters, 66, of Sarasota, Fla., died Friday, March 13, at home in the loving embrace of his wife, Kathy Walker Van Citters, and surrounded by family. Joel had valiantly fought a year-long battle against an aggressive cancer.
Joel was born Feb. 23, 1949, in Minnesota to Gordon Wayne and Edith (Kenny) Van Citters. When he was two, his family moved to a country home near Quakertown in Bucks County, Penn., where Joel's earliest and fondest childhood memories were formed. His father's career later took the family to Moorestown, N.J., where Joel made lifelong friends and graduated from Moorestown High School in 1967.
He attended Boston University after high school before setting off with friends to explore the country in late '60s fashion, storing up matchless memories, sampling an array of life experiences and generally having a blast.
Earning a degree in television and film at Bucks County Community College, Joel found a profession that utilized his multi-faceted creativity, talents and passion for life. His 40-year career as a writer, producer and director for television and film productions was launched in the nation's largest markets, including the PBS station in Philadelphia and the CBS affiliate in Boston.
In 1992, Joel relocated to Florida where he soon discovered Sarasota and quickly claimed it as home. As president of his own companies in Boston and later in Sarasota, Joel produced video, film, print and Web content for clients including IBM, Xerox, John Hancock Insurance, Washington Mutual, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, and numerous Sarasota and Tampa Bay area companies and organizations.
A longtime member of the Directors Guild of America, Joel was highly regarded as an accomplished manager of creative people and complex situations who demonstrated integrity and professionalism in dealing with clients and crew members.
His numerous awards include three New England Emmys, five Addys, an IRIS award, and the Ohio State University Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. Joel worked alongside and directed numerous celebrities. A favorite career highlight was directing and scripting a video featuring the (late) news legend Walter Cronkite on his sailboat at Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard.
A talented still photographer, Joel's photography was seen in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Style Magazine in more than 100 travel stories contributed by him and Kathy from 1997 through 2013.
Joel was multi-talented and had many diverse interests. He could have had a successful career as a musician, writer, chef, pilot or carpenter.
Joel's quick, insightful and usually irreverent wit was matched only by his generous, tender heart. He was a supportive friend and mentor to many.
In the year following Joel's unexpected diagnosis, he and Kathy were bolstered by the outpouring of support from family and friends. To those who knew him, Joel retained his life-embracing outlook until the end. Frequent visits with his brother and sister, Kathy's family, and the couple's close friends were filled with laughter, long talks, and witty exchanges. These times helped to sustain Joel through numerous hospitalizations, surgeries and treatments.
Joel is survived by Kathy, his wife, soul mate and forever sweetheart; and by his brother, Dr. Gordon Wayne Van Citters Jr. (Lisa), Annapolis, MD; his sister, Laurel Light (Jon), West Chester, Penn.; stepson, Matthew Barfield (Sarah), and grandchildren Dylan, Seth and Ryder; sister-in-law June (Bill) Crews; brothers-in-law Craig (Pam) and Rick (Peggy) Walker; mother-in-law Edith (John) Fyvie, all of Jacksonville, Fla; and six nieces and seven nephews from both families. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Three weeks before his death, Joel relished every minute of his 66th birthday party at a small gathering of family and friends that was a memorable love-fest and celebration of an amazing man with uncommon courage. In keeping with Joel's wishes, there will be no formal memorial service.
Donations may be made to Florida House Institute in Sarasota (flhouse.org).
Remembrances and condolences may be made online at legacy.com or heraldtribune.com.