It is with deep regret that we wish to inform all members of BvH that our coach and very dear friend Joe Lewis passed away unexpectedly on Thursday morning (10 May 2012).
More information will follow shortly. We would ask that members respect Joe’s family’s privacy during this sad time.
UPDATE (11 May 2012) – As this post has turned into an informal remembrance page for Joe with so many kind words about him, Laura Leslie has volunteered to type up all of the comments and present a hardcopy to Pam. Please pass the URL on to others who knew and thought highly of Joe so that they can contribute. Anyone who has already posted and who wishes to amend anything they’ve said for the final version can contact Chris at bvhchairperson@bournvilleharriers.org.uk.
Our dear friend, Joe
Joe, words can’t do it justice, the way you inspired us meant that we always wanted to run our best, you are a true zen master, we will work hard for you
joe am truly grateful for knowing you, in such a short time you have taught me enough to last a life time, i will miss you telling me off for racing in pointless races! while lying on your treatment table wincing in pain, after any race or training session you was always there to offer a opinion regards of how i had done, you will be missed so much, sleep well my friend. thoughts go to your family
Joe Lewis, a true gentleman, found the inner spark in every individual. You have left a lasting legacy for the club and so many of us. You will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.x
We, Joe’s family, would like to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their love and kind words which have been a great comfort to us. We will post details of the funeral as soon as we are able.
Joe, your enthusiasm was infectious. A hundred mile a week was easy with your support, your friendship immeasurable your council always sound. Life will never be the same, you were my mate and i miss you so much.
Joe was such a nice guy. He will be sorely missed by so many of us. RIP.
I first met Joe when I joined Rowheath Harriers in 1984.
When I picked up an injury in the 1990 London Marathon, it was Joe that diagnosed the problem, and got me running again.
It was later in that year that Joe set me on the start of my career in coaching.
During the last 20+ years I’ve always had an admiration for him, and the enthusiasm that he had for helping others achieve their running ambitions.
My heart goes out to Pam and the rest of Joe’s family.
Rest in peace Joe.
Devastated reading this news whilst on away on holiday. Joe, you have really helped me and everyone at the club, instilling us with confidence and advice. Until I joined the club I didn’t know what I was capable of. Thank you for all your support, the regular training sessions through the dark, cold and wet winter months and the support and encouragement during all of the races. I am really pleased we did so well at the National Relays, the success of which is down to you. And glad I came to shake your hand after the Stratford Race last Monday. See you Joe x
An amazing man. Such a wealth of knowledge and always there to offer support and advice. You got me back out running this winter when I felt like giving up. Such sad news. You will be deeply missed x
Thank you Joe for all the help you gave me when my running days were gone but to keep moving in a “sort of” athletic wear was a triumph. A trip to see you was to talk about much more than sporting injuries. It was to remember the way we were and what we might have been,to salute athletes we admired and give some flak to those we didn’t rate.It was indeed to put the world to rights and you were one of the best at this. At these times its hard for people like me to believe that your skills are already being put to use in another “world” they have made a wonderful acquistion but their gain is our irreplacable loss.
RIP Joe
You have made us better runners.
Rest in piece Joe.
I’m stunned and deeply saddened to hear of Joe’s death. I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing Joe as long as some of you, but his contribution to the lives’ of others and to mine was significant. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have known Joe and for the chat’s we had on his treatment table. I’ll miss those.
Legend !
RIP Coach
Joe was a brilliant guy, who gave amazing support and guidance to so many people. It’s great to hear so many special memories of Joe and I am honoured to have some of my own.
I am so sad to hear the news of Joe’s passing. He was such an inspiration and positive influence to so many people. Athlete, coach, teacher, mentor, Joe was all of these and more and I personally owe him a great deal of thanks for his help. His great knowledge and experience will be missed, but not as much as the personality he bought to the world of athletics.
The world has lost a wonderful man. Rest in peace Joe
It was such a shock to hear the news about Joe. I will always remember him. He was such an inspiration and a great coach. It was a very special time for me and many others at Rowheath. He always delighted in any runners who would improve on their best times and was always there encouraging – motivating. I will remember training schedules he set the mile / hill reps along the Bristol road – the camaraderie – it was like having an extended family. Joe was the making of me – I am so grateful for all the time, support and friendship. Joe you will be missed but never forgotten.
Really sorry to hear about this, he helped so many people, as well as just being a really nice guy.
Joe, you were one of a kind. Friendly, knowledgeable and encouraging to one and all. You have left such an impression on me…noone will ever forget you.
Thank you for all your help.
Very sad news. He will be very missed at Bournville.
He helped me through a couple of injuries with his physio sessions
and general advice.
Rest in peace.
Joe Lewis was a very unique and special individual,well loved and respected in the running/sporting fraternity, and the plethora of wonderful and thoughtful tributes,which are still coming in, reflects that fact. I feel sure that he is now `at rest,` but my hope and prayer is that,not only will he continue to `rest in peace,` but that he will `rise in glory` (for in the Christian faith/tradition we have the hope of eternal life).
`For all that has been – Thanks!
For all that shall be – Yes!`
Dag Hammarskjold,1905 – 61
Our thoughts will continue to be with Pam and Joe`s Family at this time.
Whilst `we` are experiencing natural feelings of shock,sadness and sorrow at Joe`s sudden and unexpected passing away ,I hope that we will also be able to give thanks for and celebrate his many and diverse achievements both as a coach/mentor/masseur/friend and athlete in his own right.
Sad news. I saw him for a massage on Tuesday and he looked well so this is a total shock.
Rest in peace Joe, and my condolences to Joe’s family.
Very, very sad news. I will be thinking of Joe’s family and remembering those painfull physio sessions that kept me running when my body told me to stop. A great man with immense knowledge and experience, coupled with the ability of getting the best out of everyone he coached.
So sad to hear this dreadful news. As the comments on this page show, Joe was an inspiration and support to many.
He coached athletes of all abilities, and had a real talent for getting the best out of every one of them.
Joe of course was a good runner himself, and kept active all of his life. No giving up and sitting in front of the telly for him.
I remember running round Cofton one afternoon a few months ago. It was cold, wet and blowing a gale. I ran a whole lap without seeing a single person, until I bumped into Joe. He was on the top, doing efforts with just the dog for company. What a bloke.
They just don’t make guys like him anymore. A proper character, with a wicked sense of humour.
RIP mate, thinking of you and the family
I am struggling to come to terms with this dreadfully sad news, and my thoughts are with his family. He will be greatly missed by me, for his advice and support, sorting out all my injuries and as a friend. He has also helped a mumber of my own friends, including my mother, and they too are very upset. He will be missed by so many people.
It is certain that Joe will be remembered for his positive contributions to society, shown by the many meaningful tributes paid to him already. So despite his sudden and desperately sad death, we can all celebrate his life. Rest in soft peace Joe.
Jack Gray,
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Am still numb at the news. Our paths crossed many times, right from my time at Warley/Borough of Sandwell AC, to Joe welcoming me into his home for a sports massage and a chat about the state of middle distance running in Britain. A true gentleman who always had time for you. The world has lost a true character and will be a much sadder place without him. My sincerest condolences to Pam and his family. RIP Joe.
Such sad and totally shocking news. Joe you were such an amazing coach, thank you for all your guidance, it was through your training and support where I developed my love for cross country. Truly an inspirational man. Rest in peace Joe.
xx
Such sad news. You were a fantastic guy Joe and truly inspirational. You had such an amazing talent in being able to bring the best out in every runner. Thank you so much for your guidance and support, Saturday mornings are just not going to be the same without you. Rest in peace xx
Saturday mornings will not be the same without you,but we all know you will be looking down on us and telling us to run up those hills as fast as possible!I can hear you now”Use your arms!”Rest in peace.
Joe has been my friend for over 30 years and I am so sad to hear this news. He was a fellow athlete, coach( I was one of his guinea pigs!), masseur but above all a great friend. I will always remember him visiting me in hospital 20 years ago when I was ill and unable to walk – he brought me 2 cans of beer and then started planning my training programme!! You have been with me ever step of the way, Joe, and will be missed by so many people. Love to Pam and the family.
Really sad news. Joe was one of life’s gems. Always encouraging, always honest, a great coach. X
just reading through these tributes what strikes me is that he is being remembered as an athlete in his own right but also for all the people he has supported and coached through the years.
Your continued success is his legacy.
Just when you thought you were alone and could ease off
He would be there on the course
Knackered old white Reebok classic
Thread bare RonHills
Shabby Blue Baseball cap
Scruffy Grey Beard
Jess ever faithful by his side
Giving you that shout of encouragement
Inspiring you to push yourself harder
A true Legend of a man
Rest in peace Joe
So sad to hear about Joe. Even as someone who didn’t take the opportunity to train under him very much he would always be there to call out my name at cross-country races or club races.
Such very sad news. Joe will be rembered by so many people who hold him in such high regard as a friend, coach, mentor and so much more. There must be hundreds of runners, from todays training groups to those dating back over 30 years, like myself, who he has helped and encorouged along the way who will sadly miss him.
I have such fond memories of him. I am so pleased that I have seen him a quite few times over the recent months and enjoyed a quick chat with him. My heart goes out to Pam and all his kids and grandchildren.
Good luck old mate.
I knew Joe a long time ago when I ran for Rowheath in the late 80′s when I just used to be in awe of the man and some of the amazing runners at the club (still can’t believe that they could run sub 50 for 10 miles). He’d give me a lift back from the gun barrels when i’d tried to stay with them all running reps.
I still check your website to see whats going on. I last spoke to Joe at the Telford 10K. he was still passionate and still amazing.
Thanks Joe RIP
Very sad news indeed. Although I knew him for only a brief time, the reaction of those who knew Joe well says it all. Rest in peace.
So sad to hear the news about Joe, he was such an inspiration and will leave a massive hole in the club but I’m sure you will all come back strongly together and make Joe proud as I’m sure he was already. I never thought I’d be running races & cross country & that’s thanks to Joe’s encouragement. What a great man, rest in peace Joe xxx
Joe, Thank you so much for all your help and advice. Last year I thought I wouldn’t be able to run again, but you got me running a little at a time, now look, Stratford half 2.01. I said to Scott straight after finishing, If I now go to Joe’s Monday sessions at Club, look what I can achieve. You had such an impact on so many people. Look what BvH have acheived, thanks to you. Rest in peace Joe.x
So sad to hear of the news. The world has lost an amazing person.
Very few people had the ability to motivate me to run round cofton park at 8am in the freezing cold and mud every saturday, but Joe you somehow managed that. You always inspired us to keep pushing ourselves. We never wanted to let you down. The amazing performances seen at BvH today are a testament to that. You’ll be truly missed xx
Joe, we will remember you not only as a brilliant coach, but as a brilliant person as well. I will miss your advice, friendship and sense of humour more than I can say. You are leaving a big hole behind, but I really hope that we can continue to train and race in a way that you would be proud of. Rest in peace.
A real shock. He was a great person and was always willing to give advice and encouragement to everyone. It was a priviledge to have known him.
Such a great man. Thank you for all your help and advice, I promise to try and stop being a wimp. You will be missed so much. Rest in peace.
Joe, I only knew you for a short time but you have made such an impact on me and I will be forever grateful. A truly great person whom I will never forget. I will always think of you when I am running. Rest in peace x
Devastated. You were a man of incredible knowledge and enthusiasm. Thank you so much for all your guidance. Rest in peace.
As Linda said “Coach, Mentor, Physio and above all, Friend” Joe, you made such a massive positive impact on my life, you will be missed loads
So glad we had that imprompru chat on Sunday, my last memory is you with your dog ,having a little discussion about aches n pains and you telling me off for buying the wrong heel insert. Well I bought the right one today, rest in peace my friend
Totally shocked and saddened by today’s news. Joe you were a truly great coach and you will be sorely missed. RIP xx
Coach, Mentor, Physio, and above all, Friend, you will be greatly missed Joe, rest in peace x
Joe Rest in peace