.01
BROTHER JOEY
Joseph R. Tello, age 34, passed away June 22, 2018 in Steamboat Springs Colorado. In his early years, Joey was a student at Scott Lake Elementary in Lakeland Florida and a George Jenkins High School graduate. He attended University of South Florida in Tampa. He loved his family deeply and treasured his many friendships. He had an infectious smile and an amazing sense of humor. He spent many great years in St. Augustine Florida where he became an avid surfer and developed a passion for live music. He traveled with friends to hundreds of live events around the country and would return home with plans in place for the next.
Joey was an outdoorsman and had been working and living in Colorado for the past two years. In his short tenure in Steamboat, his network of friends grew quickly and his passing hit the town hard.
Joey is survived by his mother Kippy Capers and stepdad Joe Capers of Lakeland Florida, and Mars Hill, NC, his father Steve Tello and stepmother Caroline Tello of Ft. Lauderdale Florida, his brother Danny Tello of Manhattan Beach, California, his sisters Julie Tello (Doug Wilson) of Orlando Florida and Steffani Tello of Denver Colorado as well as a large extended family.
Joey was my brother. If you'd ever met him, then he was also your brother... a friend...our family and now a spirit that will continue to energize all who crossed paths with him. People naturally gravitated towards his infectious personality - in a room full of energy, Joey had the most. And while the legacy he leaves behind is untraditional, it will be long lasting in the form lessons he taught us. One that I carry with me is to enjoy living, which is something he did very well.
Joey was a good student, but preferred to create his own curriculum. He majored in originality and minored in keeping life simple. After all, the only things he really carried with him were his big head of hair and whatever else he needed for his current adventure. His enviable appreciation for having fun superseded his list of day-to-day priorities. If Joey was lost, I would imagine would take the map someone slipped in his back pocket, and trade it for some music to listen to while he created his own path home. Invite Joey to an event, and you could expect him to show up in his best T-Shirt, wondering why everyone was overdressed in suits.
You might expect this tribute to end with "He is...the most interesting man in the world". I don't think Dos Equis was his brew of choice, but he gladly would have shared one with you, and that's only part of what made him a Legend. As we so often said of my brother, "There's never a dull moment".
.02
paddle ouT
We held a paddle out ceremony in honor of my bother Joey and his love for the ocean. He loved the outdoors, was an avid surfer, and very good fisherman. In our early years, Joey and I surfed the East coast of Florida, the beaches in Los Angeles County, and later made several trips to Central America. These surf adventures created many great memories. So we invited anyone to join, surfer or not, to come splash some water in honor of Joey.
Who
Joey was a big advocate of getting people together. We held the event to honor Joey but also those in attendance who have lost someone close to them.
What
We held a short ceremony on the beach at 9:00am and then jumped to the water and honor Joey's passion for the ocean with a traditional but casual paddle out ceremony.
The water ceremony was visible from the beach for those who prefered to stay on the sand. The water was warm in the low 70s.
Where
The beach service took place on Marine Ave. Between 21st and 22st streets in Manhattan Beach CA, 90266.
When
Joey’s Memorial Paddle-Out was held on Saturday, August 25th 2018. Thank you to all who turned out in support of Joey and his family. The event was a humbling experience and created a very special memory in Joey’s honor.
Why
This paddle out was held honor Joey as well as to show my love and appreciation for my amazing friends who have helped me navigate this unexpected crossroad.
.03
REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
We invite Joey’s family and friends to gather on November 29, 2018 and share the many indelible memories he created for us.
Where
Joey’s remembrance will take place at Harry P Leu Gardens, 1920 N Forrest Ave. Orlando Florida, 32803.
When
We will gather on Joey’s 35th birthday, November 29th 2018 from 3pm to 5:30pm. After our brief ceremony refreshments will be served.
PARKING
Enter through the Leu Gardens main gate where you will be guided to the parking location.
RSVP
Please let us know if you can make the ceremony. Also reach out if you have questions, or have photos you would like to share with us.
.04
SEND Love
We are so appreciative of the positive energy spread by friends and family after the news of Joey's passing. The stories and tributes shared have shed a light on how many people he connected with on his adventures. His social sphere was widespread in more ways than one. One thing that will transcend is the contagious spirit he offered towards all that he loved. Here's to continuing that Love.
