Eli "Big E" Joyce

My first memory of Eli Joyce was in the late 1960’s at Conneaut Elementary School, where he would occasionally visit our Gym class. He would hold a basketball high over his head and allow a swarm of grade-schoolers to claw on him to try to wrestle the ball away.

When I was 12 I read in the newspaper a notice of weekly bike rides led by Eli. My first ride with the group, comprised of Eli, Bob Beard and others, was a 12 mile round trip to Tontogany. Eli helped me (and countless...

I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of 'Big E,' a personal hero of mine. I grew up in Bowling Green and made the City Park my home away from home every summer. While I was not the easiest teen for folks to interact with, Eli always treated me with respect and dignity. Eli was able to find the good in all kids and found ways to include them into the parks program in significant ways. He was my first employer, running the Rec Building Games Room and scoring softball games.

He...

I have only wonderful memories of Eli - I met him when I was 7 years old in Norwalk, Ohio where he and his wife Dorothy, were the Recreation Directors. He was the one who gave me the nickname of Timmy and I am called by that name today by friends. He was one of the finest adults I knew while growing up - almost one of the family. My friend, Ann K., and I would go up to his house in Norwalk and help Dorothy "clean" just to be around this wonderful family - He loved children and adults alike. I...

I have fond memories of Eli. He was always smiling and pleasant to me when I came over to visit Denise. His family is in my prayers. May God give them peace and comfort.

I'm a former resident on BG, and worked on a crew with Eli and Bob Beard for many years. A good, gentle giant of a man! Don't think I ever heard him raise his voice. Also did my first TOSRV in 1976, and Eli was there to encourage me.

Be well, God bless!!

Dan Henige