Obituaries

I worked with Joel at Howard & Bowie Law Offices for 25 years. He was a wonderful "boss" and was so patient with me when I was new and throughout the years. We has a wonderful crew and he was such a part of it--funny, smart, caring, upbeat and just the best. Every year his Christmas card was the first I received with a nice note and that continued after we both retired. We often talked about growing up in small town Maine and our childhoods were so similar. Matt, I'm sure he shared lots of them with you!!! He will be missed. Jean Chadwick

Posted by Jean B. Chadwick on April 26, 2025

Matt my condolences to you and your extended family. I had the opportunity to work for your Dad when he took a chance on me after my husband passed away 17 years ago. He helped me through a really hard time along with the Howard & Bowie crew. He did so much for so many people. I don't know how he found the time. He certainly will be missed by many.

Posted by Cynthia Hunt on April 19, 2025

I saw Joel's obituary in our local paper here in Maine last night and my heart was saddened....my deepest condolences to all of his family at this time. I have been a paralegal at the office of Robert Gregory for 36 years this June and had the pleasure of working with Joel on many a file between our offices. He was such a kind, caring, wonderful man and never treated me as anything but a colleague in the business and an equal. When he'd call, we always had a nice little chat. He was a dear man and I am very blessed to have known him! Julie Crider, New Harbor, Maine

Posted by Julie Crider on April 17, 2025

So very sorry. Kind, sweet and wonderful

Posted by Rhonda Storer on April 15, 2025

I spent many New Year's Eves at Joel's house, really a bread and breakfast. He always invited a bunch of us to play cards, pick a room, stay the night and get up to play cards again on New Year's Day. Joel was a good man, a hard worker and a talented card player. I'll always remember him saying "deuce of puppy tracks" for a particular game, the two of clubs, of course. He was a founder of our card group, and we have lost so many, but we always thought Joel would outlive us all. A big loss for us, and a big loss for the family. In this day and age, there will never be another man like Joel. Condolences to Matt and the family. Terry Dubois, Milford

Posted by Terry Dubois on April 15, 2025

My friends and I spent many a Sunday afternoon playing cards and having Sunday dinners with Joel at his home in Phippsburg. He was a good friend and a sharp card player. We got to meet his son Matthew back then. Such a good son. In the past few years with Joel in Florida, most of my interactions with him were with cards and emails, but that kept us in touch. I'll miss him. Condolences to his family, particularly his son Matt.

Posted by Mike Martin on April 13, 2025

You led by example, Joel. Proud to have known you from our NYA Class of 1961 era to the present. You touched so many lives in such a thoughtful and kind way.

Posted by Sharon Libby Sharp on April 13, 2025