Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 25th, 1934 to Harry and Libby Margol, Joel grew up on Miami Beach, with his older sister, Rita, and brother, Marvin. His memories were filled with stories of adventures and mischief he would get into with his big brother and little cousin, Harold Malin, in tow. After graduating from Beach High in 1952, Joel briefly attended the University of Miami where his life long love for the Miami Hurricanes took root, and would later lead to an extensive game-day wardrobe of orange and green that any ‘Cane could be proud of.
Soon after, Joel joined the US Army where he served for two years, serving as a PFC (or as he frequently told people, “Praying For Civilian”) before being honorably discharged in 1956. It was during this time that Joel would meet the love of his life, Carol Ann Lessmann.
Married on November 2nd, 1958, Joel and Carol settled in New Jersey where they raised three sons, Scott, Steve and Bill and lived a life surrounded by family, friends and laughter.
He was a lover of good jokes, peanut butter sandwiches eaten over the sink, little dogs named Sasha and, above all, an ardent believer in the importance and treasure of family. He was devoted husband to Carol, wise and loving father to Scott, Steve and Bill, caring father-in-law to Debbie, Karen and Eve, adoring Poppy to Jackie, Julia, Ian, Matt, Allie, Cole and Sam, and, simply, Uncle Joel to too many cousins, nieces and nephews to mention. He was all of these things, and more, to all of us.
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