Here’s Cheers To A Bar Buddy Who Kept An Entire Area Entertained
I don’t remember the first time I ever met Joe Anderson – that’s a pretty common thing among the single people in the Los Angeles Beach Cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach – but I most definitely remember the first time I partied with him.
It was during the Manhattan Open, a local event that is known as the Wimbledon of Beach Volleyball. For South Bay singles, the event is as much about socializing as it is sports. We were in a bar called Beaches (which is now Strand House) when a motorhome pulled up to the door. Only Joe paid it any attention and he went out to talk to the people getting out of it.
Turns out it was a couple about our age from out of town on vacation, and within minutes Joe had convinced them to pile us in the thing and go for a road trip! We wound up at a party right on the beach in Seal Beach and had a night none of us will ever forget.
And that said it all about Joe; he was spontaneous fun. With Joe, you always had the feeling something fun was about to happen. And it usually did happen.
Joe is no longer with us. He paid his tab on Earth and arrived in heaven, where they parted the velvet ropes and put him in the VIP section. I’m sure the good Lord has a seat for him at the bar, a big glass with his name etched on it and an open tab. “That’s okay Joe, it’s on me,” he’ll say.
You could spot Joe from a mile away. He had a smile as big as a Sharkeez bucket. Those huge teeth opened up to a friendly face that always seemed to be happy. And that made all of us happy.
The moments I’ll miss Joe the most are the places where he was such a fixture: Manhattan Beach’s Hometown Fair, helping organize a party bus to Old World Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach, the Halloween parties where he always dressed in the same lame costume, the Super Bowl 10K, Fiesta Hermosa, the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade (he was even in the parade a few times, as the Redondo Beach Street Rugby team). the Long Beach Grand Prix and, of course, the summer pro beach volleyball tournaments.
As well as on our occasional jaunts to Vegas and Waikiki Beach, where he would make sure we all did one of the Sunday champagne brunches. Joe loved Sunday champagne brunches wherever he was, home or away.
We’re all better off for having known Joe. He not only made us laugh, but howl.
Tears and laughter on this day…thanks for the many memories and champagne wishes.
Beautifully said Kevin…I just saw Joe at Fiesta Hermosa, he bought me a drink in the beer tent, and we parted with his usual saying, “Love, Love, Love” and that was Joe..so much love. My birthday, after my divorce, I was feeling down and Joe said, Come on, we’re going out..a slow night on Pier Ave, we went to Fenner’s, Malloy’s, the usual and Joe bought me drinks I had never heard of, and we talked. Joe was so intelligent and had a depth, rolled in a party spirit. Missed? There will never be another Joe Anderson. Love to all who feel as bad as I do this day…Maureen Jensonxo
Thank you for a beautiful tribute on this sad day.
Kevin, Joe is the reason we know each other, my brother like no other… Full of energy, more than any one could have, love more than anyone could give. Knowing I got to see him a few times this summer and enjoying our crazy time was priceless. A smile and love bigger than any other person I know! LOVE YOU JOE thanks pubclub for the post xooxxoxo
R.I.P. Joe.. See you at the bar in heaven , next round’s on me!!!
Kevin, what a Great tribute to a Great guy!
What a beautiful tribute to an awesome man
We met in 1997 and life suddenly got a whole lot more fun. He connected me with so many new adventures and people. I’m so grateful for his kindness and hospitality and will miss him dearly. He did this for everyone! Big heart. Big loss. They say all good things must come to an end, but this really sucks big time!
My last comment looks like it didn’t post so I will say again how great of a friend joe was! I had many good memories hanging out with him from 04-08!! RIP joe and we will miss you!! 🙁
Thank you very much Kevin, well said.
The Gilligan’s…omg we had so much fun that evening….I still cannot believe that Joe convinced me to be the old lady..so many memories.
Joe, have fun were ever you are….
Your Swiss Buddy
Thomas
My friend of 26 years….I cant believe Im never gonna get a txt or call asking to meet up for lunch or a beer at phelius fogs with john lambert. I will forever miss ur lift me off the ground hugs and talking about ur cars. Giving me advice on electonics. I remember whn you got your Viper and doing donuts in it…and I said that instead of pony rides…you have a shin-dig and have viper rides…and we laughed. Who am I gonna swim in water fountains with now? Jumping off 2nd story balcony in mammoth into the soft powder. Chargers/Raider games…Riding around town in Oprah…partying at your dorm at Layola Marymount…..Mooses and having a jieger meister war (not a good idea..i was hung for 2 says)..the river..reaggae shows….I could just go on and on….26 years of the best times of my life and you were always there…..now Im left with the
memories and what for now is a frown, I know soon will become a smile. I will truly miss you my friend.
All these posts have touched my heart so much. I too have these special memories of time spent with Joe. I was the older sister of the bunch (John’s sister) and met Joe when he was 14. He was always bigger than life. There was never an excuse to not be ready to have an adventure of your life. I live in AZ now, but I told myself when I got this tragic news that an entire culture and way of life would be changed for all of us that had the amazing good fortune to have known Joe. See you soon Joe, RIP…and thanks for the memories.
Beautifully said Kevin. Gosh, we had a great time that night as Gilligan’s Island. That was my favorite Halloween. So sorry to hear this happened. RIP Joe.
Nice job Kevin – very sad. Joe was such a great guy … cant believe I wont see his smiling face coming to class, Smackfest, etc. Whenever or wherever there is a tribute please let me know.
Well put Kevin. Joe will truly be missed but never forgotten. Any time I go into a bar or party in Hermosa, I’ll think of Joe. Rest in peace. See you at the big party in the sky…
Very nicely done Kevin. We all have so many good things to say about such a good friend and instigator of fun times. A true catalyst of great memories. I know he made big impressions on so many people’s lives including my own. Joe, I will miss you greatly.
This is Joe’s sister, Debbie. I just wanted to thank all of you for sharing your good memories about time you spent with my brother. It has meant a lot to our family to see that he touched so many people’s lives. We are planning an informal memorial for him on Sunday, October 14th, in the afternoon (time TBD)below the Hermosa Beach Pier.
If you didn’t know Joe, someone you know did. He found a way to always have fun with the smallest things in life. And included anyone in his group instigating fun. He will be missed in sooo many ways. Too bad he left. We need to take care of those close to us.
Joe even brought that beautiful smile and his love for life and fun to Idaho. Every time I have seen Joe he was the life of the party. Two or three years ago my husband and I along with our friends Jim and Tia met up with Joe at Shellbacks and we had the best time ever. It was Six Man Volleyball. The bar was so packed but Joe had a great table and we spent the entire day there taking pictures, laughing and partying.
Joe, you will be missed by many many people…including quite a few of us in Idaho. RIP
Love,
Mike and Sherry Cutler
I met Joe 20+ years ago at hometown fair in Manhattan beach, we always called it our anniversary. This has been a long and crazy ride with my darling Joe. You will never be forgotten
My beloved Angel, partner in crime, shoulder to cry on, couch to sleep on, and on and on….- how dearly you will be missed. I am at a loss for words and still cannot believe you have moved on to heaven. I still see your face at night and hear your voice saying “love love love.” I was truly blessed to have met you 20-something years ago. I am glad to have so many memories that I will cherish forever and ever! See you some day partner- save a spot for me! Love Vicki
Joe played so tenderly with Chrissa’s lil baby toes when she sat on daddy’s shoulders with her tiny floral open-toed sandals at Hermosa Beach many years ago… a beautiful image, thank you.
Joe was a good friend and a great guy! Very trusting & cool. I sure do miss him 🙁