Joel Karl Gustafson

The State of Florida lost a leader August 31st when Joel Karl Gustafson died in Fort Lauderdale at the age of 84 surrounded by his children and Judy, his loving wife of 60 years.

The essence of Joel Gustafson can be summed up in four words: generous, charming, diplomatic, and funny. Very, very funny.

Connecticut born second son of Swedish parents, Art and Jane Gustafson, Joel was an athletic star before he blossomed into a driving political force in Broward County. East Haven High School recognized his athletic talent when he was named to Connecticut's All Star football team in 1954-55. He also played forward on his high school's legendary undefeated basketball team's winning streak (77-0), and was inducted into the East Haven High School Hall of Fame 40 years later in 1994! He earned a full ride as an offensive end at Lafayette College in Easton, PA, where he earned a Government degree. He also co-captained both track and football, was invited into Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Maroon Key. Among his many characteristics, Joel was an athlete first- cycling, skiing and golf were his late life passions.

The Summer of 1959 altered Joel's New England compass. After graduating from college, he took a summer job as a lifeguard where he met the love of his life, Judy Field, on the beach. Judy had long-term goals for her blond-haired, 6'3", athletic new boyfriend. Judy planned to enter Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans in the Fall. She encouraged Joel to apply for law school at Tulane University so their Summer romance would continue! The two married in 1961. Daughter Kim was born during his first year in law school. Daughter Stacey followed the next year. Son Scott was born three years later.

Joel earned his J.D. from Tulane University in 1963. The couple moved their young family to Fort Lauderdale where Judy's parents had a Fort Lauderdale home. Broward County was ripe for new talent and energy. Joel didn't disappoint.

The energetic young lawyer was instantly accepted into the legal community in his new home, and soon became an associate municipal judge and City of Fort Lauderdale prosecutor. His ability to move between the aisles in politics landed him a seat in the Florida House of Representatives in 1967, where he served three terms as a Republican, and where he was voted Minority Whip, and appointed as a member of the Florida Law Revision Commission. He sponsored the largest bill on traffic control laws ever passed, which lead to a prestigious appointment by President Nixon to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Safety Advisory Committee. He was also one of five recipients of the Outstanding Member Award for 1967, and Second-Session Member Showing Greatest Development in 1969. He worked across the aisle with many legislative leaders including Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, Bob Graham, Marshall Harris, and Janet Reno.

Joel served as President Gerald Ford's campaign manager for Broward County in 1976, and earned the honor of serving four Florida Democratic and Republican Governors-Governor Bob Graham, Governor Lawton Chiles, Governor Jeb Bush, and Governor Charlie Crist-on the Florida Commission on Ethics from 1978 to 2004. More recently, Joel was a Governor Bush appointee to the North Broward Hospital District where he served 6 years as both Chair and Vice-Chair from 2010-2016.

In the 1960's, Joel perfected his skills as an advocate and ardent diplomat as attorney for the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board and attorney for the Board of Adjustment. His immense charm and charisma energized his colleagues and opponents alike. During his service in the Florida Legislature, he sponsored the successful passage of the current platting law for Florida which remains the law today. In 1973, Joel processed one of the first Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) to be approved by the State of Florida for the Jacaranda Community. He was involved with local developments including DCOTA, Indian Trace, and Embassy Lakes DRIs. Joel also represented developments such as Bonaventure, Holiday Springs/Carolina, Turtle Run, Broward Mall, Pine Island Ridge Community, The 110 Tower Office Complex, Broward Financial Centre, Embassy Suites Hotel and 17th Street Marriott Marina & Hotel, among other prestigious clients.

Joel was the essence of a statesman and an attorney. But his personal focus never strayed from family and friends. Each Christmas Day, Joel hosted the annual "Christmas Classic" at Holiday Park, a flag football game he and his three brothers had begun in Connecticut more than fifty years ago. The game morphed to include more than twenty friends and family with red and green jerseys and a trophy. His Christmas Day always highlighted the comradery and family ties he held dearest to his beloved football game.

He found time to mentor many young lawyers and aides, generously giving advice and counsel to those he recognized as future leaders.

Joel believed work and play should always be fun. He knew the importance of complimenting the opposition, weighing the risks, and never underestimating the intelligence or ideas of those participating. His diplomatic skills were impressive both personally and professionally. He could cut through any tough positions with his charm, wit, and diplomacy.

His private law practice, Gustafson, Stephens, Ferris, Forman & Knight, was merged into the prestigious international firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, in 2000, where Joel became senior partner in the area of administrative, governmental, and land use law.

A close friend, Congressman E. Clay Shaw, took Joel on board in 2002 as District Director of his congressional office. He loved serving the Republican Party, along with local charities and personal causes. He served on the Board of the annual Orange Bowl Committee, co-chaired the host committee of two Super Bowls, one Breeders' Cup, and the Whitbread Race of around-the-world sailing. He worked with Broward County to develop its Cooperative Feeding Program's kitchen, which was named in his honor. He served with pride on the board of the Henderson Behavioral Health Center, as well as Chair of the Broward Alliance and board member of the Florida Chamber.

Joel's death saddens the legal and charitable community in Broward County. His limitless energy, generosity and wit creates a void, but his legacy remains with the limitless numbers of people he helped and served. He was a devoted family man, father, and grandfather who traveled with his family on skiing and cycling trips across the world. He loved deeply.

He is proudly survived by his wife of 60 years, Judy, and his three loving children, Kim Gustafson, Stacey Parkinson (Tony), and Scott Gustafson (Ali.) He is preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Edward, and his younger brother, Bill. He proudly fostered the ambitions of his grandchildren, Lindsay Parkinson Miller (Casey), AJ Parkinson, Alicia Gustafson, Megan Gustafson, and Daniel Gustafson. Joel was also a great-grandfather to Reese Miller. His sister, Arden Sutton (Al) of Hilton Head survives him, as well as his younger brother, John Gustafson, brother-in-law, Bob Field, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joel was enthused in his children's and grandchildren's goals and encouraged each one to follow their dreams and endeavors. He proudly served as the family patriarch. He loved family gatherings and reunions- especially those which celebrated his milestone birthdays!

Services celebrating Joel's life will be held on Saturday, September 11th at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Henderson Behavioral Health, www.hendersonbh.org, or Broward Health Foundation, BHFoundation@BrowardHealth.org.