Joseph M. Moniz

Joe Moniz, age 50, of Barbeau, Michigan was called home by his Lord and Savior on Monday morning, February 8, 2010 at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan following a massive heart attack. He was born in Kings Lynn, England on December 8, 1959 and became the son of Gilbert and Gladys Moniz at the age of six weeks. Joe, as a child of a military family, lived in many different places, but called Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan home. During his teen years, he helped his parents run their grade A dairy farm, where he gave all the cows strange names. He graduated from Sault High School in 1977 and entered the United States Coast Guard the following year. He served in the USCG for 20 years, eight years active duty and twelve years in the reserves. He was recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Storm / Shield and Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti, serving in Port Security Units 302 and 309. By the end of his military career he held the rank of Chief Machinery Technician (MKC). Joe entered the Michigan Dept. of Corrections after leaving active duty, and has worked many positions over the last 20 plus years. His last position was of Lieutenant of Transportation for Upper Michigan. Joe was a member of the First Church of Christ in Sault Ste. Marie, MI where he served as chairman of the board, and as a teacher. He was a member of the Sault Area School Board for nearly 17 years serving where ever needed. Joe was always a fan of the I-500, and served on it's board in 2002. He worked many positions as a volunteer, but enjoyed announcing, at the track during time trials and the race the most. He enjoyed Nascar, football, fantasy football with his church group, history, model building, hockey, snowmobiles and reading. Joe is survived by his wife: Cindy (they would have celebrated 30 years of marriage in July); a daughter: Jessica (Nicholas) Flood of Irmo, SC; and a son: Jeremy Moniz of Barbeau, MI. Also surviving is his dear cousin: Gilbert (Ann Marie) Medeiros of Assonet, MA. Joe was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 9:00 PM on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the funeral home with Pastor Hank Kott officiating. Entombment will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to First Church of Christ in memory of Joe Moniz for Southeast Asian Christian Mission in Thailand.

Tributes

Joseph M. Moniz

December 8, 1959 - February 8, 2010