Joe Whyte (1926-2008)

JonLevis · 03-17-2008, 11:39 AM

For many years, Joe Whyte was a "resident" at Handy Landing in the Weirs Channel. Joe was always a friendly wave as you passed by and he was also the angry yell of "NO WAKE" after dark. A few years ago, Joe took ill and could no longer make the drive from his home in Rhode Island to the Lake. Joe passed away Saturday night at his home at the age of 82.

My most profound memory of Joe is now taking him back to the Lake last summer after years of not being able to drive and taking him for a day-long cruise on my boat followed by dinner at CJ Avery's. On the ride home, Joe said "thank you for making this year worth living...I could die tomorrow and die happy."

The Lake holds a special place in all our hearts, and Joe was the embodyment of this passion that we all share. He will be missed by all that knew him.

secondcurve · 03-17-2008, 06:26 PM

That is a nice story. Sometimes it is easy to forget how easy it is to make someone happy with a simple gesture. I am sure someone will return the favor to you someday.

SteveA · 03-17-2008, 08:24 PM

Nice of you to post a story like that. I didn't know Joe.. but it will make me pay a little more attention to some of the wonderful "lake people" I run into.

Great Tribute !

fatlazyless · 03-17-2008, 08:40 PM

That store, the Handy Landing used to be like walking back into 1957, what with all the 8x10 framed b&w photos surrounding the grocery aisles. While I obviously never met Mr Joe Whyte, the many photos of such iconic memories like an all-wood ChrisCraft cabin cruiser, the new popularity of waterskiing, and some local doggies captured the style of 1957 for the Handy Landing quik kustomer who was on a mission to beeze thru that old style store for newspaper & coffee.

Was Joe Whyte among those old b&w photos,.....remember a local characterup on the wall with a captain's hat and smoking a corn cob pipe....was that him?

hockeypuck · 03-18-2008, 06:52 AM

Jon, good post. Makes us all appreciate a little bit more the simple pleasures in life. Like many of us I am sure Joe enjoys the "Smile of the Great Spirit". You did a good thing.

JonLevis · 03-18-2008, 10:39 AM

Before Hanmdly Landing changed hands, there was a picture of the "Cottage People" on the wall when you walked in. The families that rented the two cottages facing the channel, the Whytes, the Evans', the Lumsdens, and my family (we used to own the "Poor House"), and Missy, the Gas Girl. Since the new ownership and layout of the store, many of the pictures have been taken down, including that one.

03-17-2008, 11:39 AM	#1
JonLevis Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fay's Boatyard & Canton, MA Posts: 79 Thanks: 18 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Joe Whyte (1926-2008) For many years, Joe Whyte was a "resident" at Handy Landing in the Weirs Channel. Joe was always a friendly wave as you passed by and he was also the angry yell of "NO WAKE" after dark. A few years ago, Joe took ill and could no longer make the drive from his home in Rhode Island to the Lake. Joe passed away Saturday night at his home at the age of 82. My most profound memory of Joe is now taking him back to the Lake last summer after years of not being able to drive and taking him for a day-long cruise on my boat followed by dinner at CJ Avery's. On the ride home, Joe said "thank you for making this year worth living...I could die tomorrow and die happy." The Lake holds a special place in all our hearts, and Joe was the embodyment of this passion that we all share. He will be missed by all that knew him.

03-17-2008, 08:24 PM	#3
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Thanks Jon! Nice of you to post a story like that. I didn't know Joe.. but it will make me pay a little more attention to some of the wonderful "lake people" I run into. Great Tribute ! __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

03-17-2008, 08:40 PM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,174 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,103 Times in 812 Posts	That store, the Handy Landing used to be like walking back into 1957, what with all the 8x10 framed b&w photos surrounding the grocery aisles. While I obviously never met Mr Joe Whyte, the many photos of such iconic memories like an all-wood ChrisCraft cabin cruiser, the new popularity of waterskiing, and some local doggies captured the style of 1957 for the Handy Landing quik kustomer who was on a mission to beeze thru that old style store for newspaper & coffee. Was Joe Whyte among those old b&w photos,.....remember a local characterup on the wall with a captain's hat and smoking a corn cob pipe....was that him? __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

03-18-2008, 06:52 AM	#5
hockeypuck Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern CT Posts: 169 Thanks: 19 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Jon Jon, good post. Makes us all appreciate a little bit more the simple pleasures in life. Like many of us I am sure Joe enjoys the "Smile of the Great Spirit". You did a good thing.

03-17-2008, 06:26 PM	#2
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 1,358 Thanked 564 Times in 291 Posts	That is a nice story. Sometimes it is easy to forget how easy it is to make someone happy with a simple gesture. I am sure someone will return the favor to you someday.

03-18-2008, 10:39 AM	#6
JonLevis Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fay's Boatyard & Canton, MA Posts: 79 Thanks: 18 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Before Hanmdly Landing changed hands, there was a picture of the "Cottage People" on the wall when you walked in. The families that rented the two cottages facing the channel, the Whytes, the Evans', the Lumsdens, and my family (we used to own the "Poor House"), and Missy, the Gas Girl. Since the new ownership and layout of the store, many of the pictures have been taken down, including that one.