Sponsorship
This memorial website was sponsored by Lynn D' Esmond. It will now remain online forever.
Latest Images
Latest Candles
Share this site
To share this site with friends and family via email, enter their email addresses in the boxes below and click "send". You do not have to fill all the boxes.
This site has been visited 10897 times.Personal Background
This site was created by family to honor and celebrate the life of Joel Knapp.
Joel always lived his life to the fullest. If Joel
wanted to do it, he figured out how to learn it and he did it. From tree
climbing, skiing, rock climbing, dirt bikes, mountain biking,
motorcycles, fishing, hunting, skydiving and much much more. Joel didn't think
about it or talk about how he was going to do something he just did
it.
Joel was
always the son, brother, cousin, uncle or friend that would gladly help
you. His very presence brought a uniqueness to any situation that could
always be counted on for a laugh. As family we would often think of
some humorous event involving Joel and say to each other "Thats
Joel". Unfortunately, over the
past few years Joel struggled to enjoy life the way he always had and
after a long fight, tragically lost his battle with depression. Joel you
will be missed greatly by family and friends. Our memories will
comfort us in the days to come. Your bright smile and Joel like ways touched
all of our hearts. We will see you again someday
We love you
Joel 
It is the wish of Joel’s family that those that don't understand depression and mental illness get the information they need to help themselves or someone else. We hope that education will eliminate the social stigma associated with depression and mental illnesses making it easier for those that need help to seek and accept it. If you knew Joel you probably have no doubt that untreated depression or mental illness can be deadly. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression or a mental illness please take the time and visit the links below to find out how you can get the help you need or lend a helping hand.
2nd Annual JTK Fishing Trip
On Saturday August 1st 2009 we will be chartering “The Eagle” for our 2nd Annual JTK Fishing Trip
Last year’s trip was a success and we raised $700.00, which was donated to charity by Joel’s Family
We look forward to continuing this trip and having another great day of fishing.
The boat will leave from the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina at 3:30 pm and return at 9:30 pm
The cost for the trip will be $100.00 per person
(Price Includes: Boat, Fishing Equipment, Food, Drinks, Beer, T-Shirt, Gratuities and Donation)
All donations will be passed on to Joel’s Family and donated to the organization of their choice
We need to have an accurate head count,
so please let us know as soon as possible if you will attend and how many are in your party.
-Space is limited-
R.S.V.P. BY JUNE 13th via e-mail or phone to:
Dave Wardrope davewardrope@gmail.com / 973-462-9613
Please include your t-shirt size.
After you respond, you will receive an invoice from Keith Dewey via PayPal.
Please click here to go to Renee Knapp's (Joel's Sister) Chicago Marathon sponsorship website and make a donation. Renee and Joel planned to run the marathon together and Joel had registered for it only two weeks before he passed. Renee is running it in Joel's (aka CARROTS) memory and raising money to benefit the American Society for Suicide Prevention.
Joel AFF (Training) Skydive.
Joel's and brother Brad's Crazy Spinning
Sydive
Joel skydiving in a Sit Position
Salt Lake City - Spring is in full bloom in SLC. Trees are going off and I find my self busy with my properties. Yesterday I landscaped a place I just picked up and you were on my mind. You taught me a lot of things I use everyday; it's hard to have you gone. I often think your watching me work and giving me shit about my trimming and building skills; or just urging me not to cut my arm off. We had a lot in common you and I, I miss our conversations, your advice and the common sense you always brought to the table. I'm moving it forward here, I think you would be proud. Peace Brother - from Tom Rolleczek Siblings - Oh the stories. I recently remembered when Joel was young in the summer he would get a buzz cut. I would sit and rub his soft hair. He didn't mind, until I decided to use his ears as handle bars like a motorcycle and make revving sound effect..brumm brummm.
Even then Joel would let me have my fun at his expense. Alawys the way my big brother looked out for me.
Love nay nays - from Renee JTK - There have not been many days that have gone by over the past few months that something didnt remind me of Joel. I guess its because Joel had so many hobbies. Whether its a guy on a Harley, a skydiving show on TV, a Tree Service Truck, a landscaper, fireworks, or any male with red hair and fair skin so many things and people remind me of Joel. We shared a lot of the same hobbies which is why we were such close friends for more then 15 years. I'm glad there are so many things that remind me of him, I enjoy the memories.
We promised eachother we would get together more often when Joel passed, we did that for the first time on Thursday, some of us met at the cemetary and then we went to the Town Pub. Joel's ears must have been ringing that night! - from Keith Mom - Well it's now Holiday time and it's hard to imagine going through them without you . . .
there's not an hour that passes without you coming to mind . . .
and I am so thankful for each memory!
and then I thought how wonderful it will be for you having Thanksgiving in Heaven, and with Grandpa too!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, JOEL!
~love, mom Lynn D'Esmond aka MOM-A-LOU - Well it's "back to school time" and I've been thinking about the year Joel started first grade,(that would be 1980)
I guess I remember it so distinctly because that year Joel managed to put the knees out of all his new pants in just one week! After that I bought the iron on patches, which he didn't like the way they looked on the outside, so I'd Have to put them on the insides or he wouldn't wear them! Joel was fashion conscious even at age 5!
I MISS YOU SO MUCH SON, but I am so Thank-ful to have been your "MOM-A-LOU" aka "Ruthie" or if you really wanted my attention you'd just say . . . . .
"now listen LYNN!"
I'll LOVE you Forever JOEL.
LOVE, MOM Brother Brad - Remember our trip to Florida this year. Remember how many times we fell through the skies together. Remember when you went 202 miles while skydiving in a stand. Remember our first sit fly dock. I flew down in a sit position and came in and docked on your leg. We both must have been going about 160 miles an hour. I miss you so much brother. I think about you all the time. Especially when I am in the sky. I know you are up there and I am sure there are no more rainy or cloudy or windy days that prevent you from skydiving whenever you want. I will see you again someday my brother and when I get there my chute better be packed and ready to go. Until then keep that big smile on your face. You know the one you always had when skydiving.
Blue Skies Forever
Love Brother Brad
Keith Dewey - As could all of Joel’s friends I could write 100 funny stories that involved Joel and I. When I look back we did a lot of very funny things together. When we were in high school we used to get a kick out of fireworks especially M-80’s and Blockbusters. For those of you who are not familiar these are the type of fireworks that makes an extremely loud bang more like an explosion! One day I was sitting in my living room relaxing and heard an explosion on my front lawn, my father and I jumped up and ran to the window only to see Joel’s truck laying wheels flying down the street. My father was cracking up even though there was now a crater in his beautifully manicured front lawn (My Dad always got a kick out of Joel). He told me to go down the street to his house and return the favor like it was WWII. These mini wars went on for years around each 4th of July. 10 years later Joel, my father, and myself still laughed about those days, we thought it was the funniest thing. Craig - There isn't a day that goes by I don't think of Joel. We use to speak often on my way home from work and my drives are a lot more lonely without him. Even though he's not on the phone it does give me the opportunity to think about all the great times we shared together. It seems like an insurmountable task to write them all but one always comes to mind. We were hunting and taking a break around lunch time. Joel was driving his Spot"T" ruck and we came to a farm that had horse back riding. The farmer gave Joel and I each a horse and full run of the farm property. We spent the next few hours racing....of course. It's a memory we use to share together since it was just the two of us. I'm glad this site gives us the opportunity to share with everyone. I think he would like that. Brown
Joel skydiving head
down and in a sit.
Latest Tributes
Latest Memories