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.
Rest in Peace
Really missed Joe at Cofton Park this morning but Dean Parker did Joe proud by leading the session. Great to read all these comments from friends old and new.
We only found out this morning that Joe had passed away – we went
for our run (jog) at Cofton and expected to see Joe’s smiling face alongside his great gang of runners – what a shock to hear the news..
Joe trained us from 1989 during some great years at Rowheath Harriers
and even though our bodies are now falling apart every time he saw us at Cofton would always have a word of encouragement or advice..
God bless
Nigel and Shaun Davey.
It is a week now since I heard the news of Joe’s passing and it has taken that time for it to sink in. I have known Joe as an athlete, physiotherapist and friend for many years. Over the past couple of years I have visited him for a monthly massage to keep my aging body working. These visits were an opportunity for us to laugh, put the world to rights and generally be “grumpy old men”. I will miss those times a great deal. My sincere condolences to the family.
i’am devestated of joe’s passing away.joe and i were close friends we both coached together at rowheath.we shared coaching opions and athletics over many drinking sessions together.joe help me through some difficult personal problems.even when i became wheelchair bound joe came to pick me up and took me out for a drink many times. joe loved his family and grand children.joe you will always be in my thoughts all times.my condolences to pam and family.
Joe, I tried XC for a short while and dreaded those Saturday mornings…. but that dread soon passed once training started, all the encouragement and praise….( and loud yells!! ) from yourself got me round, A great guy Joe and a terrible loss to BVH! REST IN PEACE x
We first met Joe when we Joined Birchfield Harriers in 1960, he was one of the top junior (under 20) 800 metre runners in the country, but had time to chat and encourage us. He road a big side valve BMW, which he would give us rides on round the Car park at the old Birchfield Ground. This is where Ian started his love affair with motorbikes, which he still has to this day, he has just bought a new Harley, and Joe was to be first on the list to see it.
We used to see Joe on a regular basis and discuss the demise of British Endurance Running, and of course motorbikes. Drinks down the Brook will never be the same Joe you will be sadly missed. Pj & Ian
I’m so very sad to hear Joe has passed away. We did our massage training together and always met up at Alexander Stadium at the trials. He would keep us all entertained with his stories. I was so pleased when I moved back to Birmingham and realised we were treating the same patients as I always knew they were in good hands.
Joe we will miss you as a person and a great masseur.
Very sad to hear about the passing of Joe Lewis last week. My thoughts are with Pam and family.
Joe was a great bloke who had a lot of time for everyone. Joe coached me for a while and did my massage for many years. I knicknamed him Jesus because i said he had healing hands!
Top man. I will miss him.
Goodnight, God Bless Joe. May you rest in peace. With love, Jo R x
I was so very sorry to hear the news of Joes passing. He was a great encouragement when running was a big part of my life. Many happy memories of times spent at Rowheath.
Condolences to Pam and family. Jane x
How incredibly sad – I remember Joe from the early days of Rowheath – in the 80’s and 90’s – he always seemed to have time to encourage and motivate all the club members no matter what their ability was – a real inspiration and honourable man – with always a positive approach and good sense of humour. Apart his encouragement in training sessions – I always remeember the time and help he gave trying to organise (fairly) the Club Christmas Handicap. Thanks Joe for all your time and motivation. Best wishes to Pam and Joe’s family
I am so sadded by the passing of Joe. He made me belive in myself and turn an unfit man into a half decent road/marathon runner. His legacy is that I still feel motivated to keep fit….. mostly on a bike these days. My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time
Ian Hancox, our old mate from our golden running years, gave me the dreadfully sad news. Joe took me from a plodding fun runner to a 1 min 55 sec 800 metre club competitor after spotting some potential that noone else noticed back in the early 80s. I owe him a part of my life that I look back on now as absolutely amazing. I just wish I could have given more back to him. Great memories of a great man…..
Came back from holiday to learn of Joe’s untimely death. A very sad loss. Great characters like Joe make a great club. My condolences to his family.
Having once been a member of Both Rowheath Harriers and Bournville Harriers I would like to send my condolences to Joe’s family, I still look at the web site and was saddened to here that Joe had passed away I can remember him being a nice guy who was all ways wiling to give advice and support with all aspects of running.
Jason Edwards.
I was so very sad hear the news that Joe had passed away. I just could not believe it. He was such a likeable character and I will always be glad to have known him. He was so nice to me and his encouragement never failed to make me work harder. Joe’s training sessions will always be amongst my favourite memories of BvH and they helped me improve my running so much. It is true that things will never be quite the same without him, but I know we will all remember him with great fondness and that the impact of his hard work for the club will be felt for years to come. My sympathies go out to Pam and his family…. Joe, you will be deeply missed by many people. Paul x
It was with some regret when I departed Rowheath in 1986 to come to Australia and leave behind my friends. Rowheath was a big part of my life and Joe was fundemental to Rowheath. He was the first coach that I had and it was a great encouragement to have someone who was interested in you, both as a person and athelete. In those days Joe fostered a real sense of us being one big family and because of this everybody thrived. Whether it be at the trackside, at the pub or travelling to some venue, Joe alway had the knack of saying the right words, always delivered with his dry sense of humour.
Joe, I may have only known you for a few years, but your inspiration will last forever. You were a great man.
Just heard from my good friend, John Farmer, of the tragic and premature loss of Joe. I only knew Joe for a few years in the late 80s/early 90s, when I joined Rowheath for my twilight running years. It was immediately obvious to me that Joe was, and always will be, ‘Mr Rowheath Harriers’. His dedication to the Club was unparallelled, and his impact went far beyond running, itself, in that he touched and enhanced the lives of so many people who had the privellege to know him.
Many members, past and present, will have vivid memories of tough, uncompromising sessions at Coughton Park – with Joe at the helm. Despite the exhaustion of yet another rep (!), those were always happy times, full of good banter and camaraderie. That was largely down to Joe, for he was always there for us, whatever the weather.
You were a giant of a man, Joe, and my heart goes out to your devoted wife, Pam, and Family.
Thanks for your interest, guidance and injury support. I always felt as though I left your massage table with a new pair of legs despite my endless protestations!!. My love and thoughts go to your family and Jess. Rest in perfect peace Joe. x
Even though I only knew Joe for a short period of time his advice, encouragement, support, knowledge, sports massages and marathon tips helped me complete the Manchester 2012 race. Extremely sad news… Rest in peace Joe.
So sad and shocked to hear this news. I echo the sentiments of former colleagues at Rowheath Harriers. When the club was formed in the early eighties Joe was instrumental in turning me (and many others) into a half decent club runner, always available with advice and, as John Farmer said a wry smile and sense of humour. To say he will be missed is an understatement.
Love to Pam & Family. Our thoughts are with you.
Graham and Mary Winkles
So sad to hear the news of Joe’s premature passing.
I first met Joe back in the early eighties when I joined Rowheath Harriers a short time after the club was founded & he was instrumental in making the club the success it became throughout the 80’s & 90’s.
Joe was known to us mainly as a coach but was also a very tallented athlete and I was fortunate enough to see Joe run a competitive 400m. He was like poetry in motion!
As a coach he was able to bring out the best in all abilities with his encouragement and rich experience. He became a dear friend to so many of us and will be missed. Love to Pam & Family. Our thoughts are with you.
Very very sad and shocked to hear the news about Joe whom I’d known since joining Rowheath Harriers in 1985. He was a dedicated coach and all my running achievements I owed to him. Fond memories of saturday morning training at Cofton Park come rain hail or snow! Thanks Joe. My thoughts are with Pam and the family.
words cannot describe our loss .Joe was more than a coach,a friend .He was an insperation to all who knew him.I meet Joe more than 40 years ago.His help over the years of training will stay with me forever. our thoughts go to Pam and all the family xx carole& colin.
I heard this news from Rob and I know how much this will affect the Club, which is epitomised by the messages. I last saw Joe at the Leafy 10k in early October which is the last time I raced. He was always there, every race, every training session, rain or shine. I won’t get the opportunity share my latest comeback effort with him, but I will try harder (as he would want) rather than giving in now.
Joe, Cofton will not be the same without you pushing us to the maximum to achieve our true potential. Your training supported and improved not only the BvH Ladies cross country team but also so many runners in their road racing. I hope it will be a nice legacy that you are still supporting and improving us in our training and races (especially those with steep hills!), even though you are sadly no longer with us – those of us who raced this weekend certainly felt this. I will never be able to do another windmill without thinking of you! You will be greatly missed.
Just heard the terrible news Joe. I feel so choked up I am barely able to pass comment. Having known you through the early 80’s when you told me I could be a half decent runner at Rowheath if I would only get my arse in gear, I have recently got my enthusiasm back purely because you spotted me trogging around the Lickey hills. You bullied me into rejoining the rep sessions on a Saturday which I enjoyed mainly because of your perceptively caustic encouragement.
I Feel devastated not to have seen you for the last few weeks but priveleged to have been reaquianted with you recently. Sincerest condolences to Pam and family. I’m sure you are somewhere up there licking the heavenly hordes into shape.
Rest in peace Joe.
Mark X
Feel very emotional writing this.. Joe has been such a huge part of the club for so many years and particularly of cross country which has always been one of my great loves.. He gave a huge amount of his time to runners at the club and would turn out endlessly to train and support. He always made me laugh, was very supportive of my running even though I have always been on the slower/social end of the spectrum. He always shouted support for me at cross country training even though I was generally near the back and also during races! Particular memories of Joe, his love of the George pub
in Alstonefield, Derbyshire very near to where we now live. A really lovely pub with great food – if any Bvhers come up to the peaks we would love to show them it. Also at cross country training I would always ask with trepidation what the session was and then think for a minute that the 20 x 400m was a joke, but it was never a joke…
We will very much miss him. Helen Foot
I was deeply saddened to hear about Joe. I’m no longer a member of BvH but I’ll never forget Joe. He would always turn up for training on Saturday mornings whatever the weather with a smile on his face and his dog Jess by his side. I spent many sessions on his Physio table as he nursed my injuries. A definite unsung hero and will without doubt leave a huge void in the world of running. My thoughts are with you Joe.
James Taylor, Knowle and Dorridge Running Club.
Joe – you will be sorely missed. BVH and running is part of many of our hearts and lives and you helped make the experience that little bit richer, pushing us onwards and upwards. Thank you. RIP
Some people inspire you, some push you, some support you, some give you the confidence to run harder, some understand your goals & some help whatever way they can to get you there….you were all of those people Joe, you’ll always be in our hearts as we run
Joe – it was a privilege to have known you. You inspired, supported and encouraged everyone and meant so much to so many. Saturday mornings at Cofton won’t be the same with out you
never forgotten, a true inspiration to all who knew him. jo will be so sadly missed x
Joe – you were an inspiration to all of us many years ago in Rowheath Harriers. We were like one big family with you at the helm encouraging us on. We had so many good times – running and socially.
The world will be a sadder place without Joe but has been a better place for having Joe in it.
Lots of love to Pam & the family
xx
Joe – you were an inspiration to all of us at Rowheath all those years ago. We were like one big family and enjoyed so many happy times – running and socially.
The world will be a sadder place without him but has been a better place for having Joe in it.
Lots love to Pam and all the family
xx
An amazing, inspiring and wise man. The good talking to that you gave me the week prior to the marathon while you sorted my legs out got me through those last few miles. I could hear you telling me to get past “the one in front” as I ran passed the ice cream van at Sutton yesterday. Thank you for getting Mark into the cross country through your committed Saturday morning training sessions at Cofton. We hold you in our memories and our thoughts are with your family at this time.
A legend in every sense of the word, who else could you accept an order of 20x 400m reps on a cold wet Saturday morning from, and never quite bring yourself to tell him to stop even in agony on the massage table?! Thanks for all the advise and support, I know your legacy will stay with us all for a long time to come.
I still can’t believe one of running’s great unsung heroes has gone.
His support, encouragement, advice, injury help and chats about who’s doing what on the Brum running scene (and technical superiority of 1980s Saabs!) whilst on the massage table are some of the things I miss most since moving away from Birmingham.
He helped me to achieve more with my running than I ever thought possible, whilst expecting nothing in return except a commitment to try as hard as I could.
He leaves a great legacy.
Joe was the very first person I spoke to when I joined Rowheath Harriers way back in the early eighties. His passion for running, quiet but authoritative advice, and wry sense of humour were an inspiration to all of us in those heady days. It was great to see him in such good form at his 70th celebration recently. Desperately sad news, but we will all smile when we think of him. Love to Pam, Tracey and Dave.
Goodbye ‘Uncle Joe’. You used to laugh when I called you that but you have been such an important part of our extended running family for so many people for so long. I’ll miss your advice, your encouragement, your sense of humour and our lively debates about anything and everything. Things won’t be the same without you but I hope we carry on making you proud. My sympathies are with Pam and the family.
Inspiration and enthusiasm – two words that keep reminding us all of Joe – his friendship and guidance was key to my adoption into the “Rowheath running family” over 20 years ago and something I am so grateful for so many reasons. Margaret and I were so stunned and upset at the news and now keep remembering happy occasions over the years spent with Joe and Pam.
Today I went up to Cofton Park and stood out on his 400m reps straight looking over the park where I had first met him. It is the right place to spend a time for reflection of a fantastic guy who will be missed so much by so many. I know I will always remember his inspirational shouts of encouragement and advice as I set out in future around the park he made his own. Thankyou Joe – we remember you with much affection as a great coach and great friend…………………..
Andy and Margaret Kenchington
Joe was a great help especially in my early days of running. He diagnosed and treated my injury having struggled to get a correct diagnosis elsewhere. He struck me as a warm, enthususiastic and very knowledgable man. Joe had great stories from the past.
He didnt appear to be getting old and appeared far younger than most people his age. He always encouraging in races and someone you always saw there. His death is a great shock especially after appearing so fit and well.
His loss is great to running and especially the good group he was assembling at Bournville. I cant imagine the loss it most be to his family.
Absolutely gutted to hear of Joe’s death and has taken me since Thursday to know what to say, He is and has been an inspiration to me. He made coaching look so easy. My only ever regret was not going to him sooner when I had an ankle injury which lasted for 5-6 weeks. Joe listened, looked, nodded and said “does it hurt there?” squeezing the side of my knee. I assured him in no uncertain terms that it did indeed hurt there!! After 10 minutes or so of “massage” I left injury free and was up and running the next day. The man was a genius. I have the utmost respect for his devotion to coaching – week in week out rain, wind, snow, sun,whatever at Cofton on a Saturday morning and at club on a Monday, always available for a chat. Our sincere condolences to the family. Mick James and family.
Well Joe, we ran for you in sutton Park today, thinking of you especially as we reached your favourite vantage point, the ice cream van. It was strange not having you there but afterwards we smiled as we remembered things that you’d said or done. It’ll be strange not living in fear of going for that sports massage. “Give me a number between 1 and 10 to let me know how much it hurts” – you’d never believe me when I said it was at least a 20. We all miss you so very much already I can’t even begin to tell you.
I am so very sad to hear about Joe’s passing. He was an inspiration to me and led me thru some difficult times in my life and guided me thru some nasty injuries eventually leading me into sports massage. I’m forever in his debt for that.
He will be sadly missed by so many, but his memory will live on in all those he has touched.
Much love to Pam and the family.
Rest in peace Joe, you’ll be sorely missed. I hope that seeing how much you meant to people and the difference you made in so many lives brings some comfort to your family.
Such sad sad news and completely unexpected.
I first met Joe for treatment whilst being a student at University of Birmingham, but have crossed paths so many times at local races and even whilst out running.
He always seemed in such good shape and not just for his age. I cannot imagine how many people he has encouraged down the years – which has recently seen amazing participation levels at BVH.
Joe’s family have been and still are in my thoughts.
You will be missed.
Joe – I’ll miss you so much. Thanks for your friendship and the times spent together at races, at training, on the treatment table and in the bar -stretching me to my limits in more ways than one. I’ve lost a dear friend and yet will always treasure those moments we shared both in victory as well as defeat. Love to Pam and all the family – we share in your grief.
Despite only knowing Joe for a fairly short time, it was impossible not to be struck by his enthusiasm, kindness, generosity and encouragement. He will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers are with all the family.