05-05-2025
Joel E. Town, Warren, Ohio
WARREN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joel E. Town, known affectionately to all as Joel, or JT, embarked on his final adventure on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the age of 56.
Born on July 6, 1968, in Findlay, Ohio, Joel's journey of life took a full circle as he peacefully passed away in Warren, Ohio, after a valiant battle with liver cancer.
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A man who lived with the kind of humor that could light up even the darkest of rooms, Joel's laughter will echo in our hearts forever.
Joel's early days were marked by a daredevil spirit, as he and his brother, Jay, spent their youth attempting to out-jump Evel Knievel on anything with two wheels. His passion for motorcycles never waned and neither did his love for history. Joel could often be found engrossed in a documentary about World War II or passionately sharing little-known historical facts. A true gun enthusiast, Joel approached the hobby with the same precision and respect he applied to all aspects of his life.
His sense of duty and service was unparalleled. Joel was a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving as a Combat Medic during Operation Just Cause in Panama.
His commitment to helping others began long before and continued long after his military service, as he became a staple of the community as a Volunteer Firefighter for Southington Township Fire Department early in his career and served as an Emergency Medical Technician for over 40 years, serving McKinley Heights Fire Department, Medstar Ambulance, where he spent the majority of his career, McDonald Village, Johnston Fire Department, Burghill-Vernon Fire Department and Physicians Ambulance Service throughout the years. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. He loved to teach new incoming EMTs the skills and compassion he showed to every patient he encountered.
Joel's family was the cornerstone of his life. He leaves behind his loving wife, Vicky Town (née Beveridge), who was both his anchor and his compass; his sister, Jeanie Town Mathison, with whom he was very close, will miss her brother's wise cracks and sage advice. Joel's legacy lives on through his son, Jordan Town and daughter, Genna Town, from previous marriages; as well as many nieces and nephews and of course, his extensive EMS family. Joel's father, Eugene L. Town, will forever cherish the memories of his son, who was as funny as he was wise.
Joel was preceded in death by his wonderful mother, Janet M. Ash Town, who passed away in 2020 and his best friend and brother, Jay A. Town, whom he lost in 1981.
Those who knew Joel knew that his humor was as much a part of him as his generosity and wisdom. He had a knack for making people laugh even in the toughest of times. Friends and family often joked that Joel missed his calling as a stand-up comedian, as he could effortlessly turn a eulogy into a roast, a skill he'd no doubt have wanted to be remembered for.
As we bid farewell to Joel, we celebrate a life lived with laughter, love and selflessness. He was the man who could find humor in the mundane, the friend who always had a joke at the ready and the hero who didn't wear a cape but carried a medical bag. Joel's story is not one of sorrow but a reminder to appreciate the history we're living, to ride through life with the wind in our hair and to never take ourselves too seriously.
Joel's absence will be felt deeply but the tales of his escapades, his laughter and his enduring kindness will remain with us. He was a one-of-a-kind soul who left an indelible mark on the world and on the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
So here's to Joel E. Town: kind, funny and wise beyond his years. May his journey be filled with the roar of motorcycles, the thrill of discovery and the kind of peace that comes from a life well-lived and a job well done. As he would say, 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened—and because I probably would've made a joke about it anyway.'
Arrangements handled by Borowski Funeral Services & Oak Meadow Cremation Services.
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