Obituaries
Joel Bernard Haimes, 64
December 01, 2014
Joel Bernard Haimes, age 64, passed away in the arms of his wife, on Monday, December 1, 2014 after a six year battle against cancer, the side effects, and the treatments. Joel was born on November 1, 1950 in New York City to David Haimes and Mildred Florence Haimes, both of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, D Jill Schmidt Haimes and his three very precious children, Cari Samantha, Andrea Beth, and David Birkett Haimes.
Joel was a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, “the best 10 years of my life.” First and foremost, Joel was an educator. He taught in the first Lancaster School District classroom for discipline problem children, in spite of sometimes not having a classroom to teach in, at Reynolds Junior High. He worked for the Lancaster Intermediate Unit 13 in a program teaching adults life skills and GED preparation. Joel was a counselor and a mentor, offering career counseling and helping to start Life Management Associates. Joel was an entrepreneur and a businessman. In 1985 Joel and Jill started J & J Haimes LLC, a small sales and marketing company, in their home. It ultimately grew and relocated Mountville PA. The company continues to thrive, 29 years later, and has had the honor of working with many terrific companies and people.
Joel had many passions in life. First and foremost was his love for his children and his family. He took great pride in their accomplishments and participated in their extra-curricular activities in the Hempfield School District. He was a soccer coach, a baseball/softball coach and referee, the MC for the raffle at the Farmdale Elementary School spring festival, Treasurer of the PTO, and probably the only Jewish Santa Claus in Lancaster County, a role he particularly loved to play at Farmdale. He was an avid fan of all New York sports teams, particularly the Yankees, a love which has been passed down to his 3 children. Joel was a musician. He enjoyed putting together concerts, whether large extravaganzas known as Katschubian Festivals or small backyard events. He also loved going to live concerts and collected music, with a particular passion for the Grateful Dead, and enjoyed sharing that passion with friends and acquaintances. Starting in the late 1970’s, Joel played rhythm guitar for a local rock band, Rustoleum. The apex of his career, however, was having the very great pleasure of playing with Chubby Checker on the stage of the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Joel also took great pleasure in cooking and his favorite meal was the extravagance of Thanksgiving.
Besides his adoring wife and children, Joel is survived by his brother Burton Kenneth Haimes (Monique) of New York City, his nephews and nieces, Matthew (Patricia), Spencer (Lauren), Meredith (Adam), Charlotte, and Trevor, great-nieces Chloe, Alexi, and Weston, and great-nephews Ethan and Grayson.
A Celebration of Joel’s life will take place on Friday, December 5, 2014 at Charles F Snyder Funeral Home of Lititz, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and a service at 2:00. Please dress casually. There will be an open house at Jill and Joel’s house following the service. The family welcomes contributions of stories, pictures, or jokes that Joel would appreciate for a memorial scrapbook. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Joel’s name to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation (http://www.rhythm-n-blues.org), Music for Everyone (http://www.musicforeveryone.net) or a cancer charity of your choice.
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Condolences to the Family
May 14, 2016
Dear Jill- Joel was a classmate at P.S.87 elementary school. The class of 1962 K-6th is having a reunion this Monday May 16th in NYC and I wanted you to know that Joel will be missed. His obituary was one of the most lovely I have ever read- not just because of the care in which it was written but because of the lovely person that Joel was and how he cherished his family and friends. I have taken the liberty of printing his obituary and including it in the Reunion Booklet. I would be glad to send you a copy if your family is interested in knowing more about his elementary school friends. Warm regards, Terry ( 510 684-3410
December 05, 2014
Jill- my deepest condolences about the passing of Joel. His love of music and the Yankees made for fantastic conversations. I always enjoyed speaking with him about our business and life in general.
Kind Regards
Eric Burns
December 04, 2014
So sorry to hear about the loss of your “best friend”. We will all miss his humor and his ability to keep everyone in touch from the old days. Please forgive me for being out of town on Friday and not being there to say all this in person.
December 04, 2014
Jill & Family,
We were so sorry to read of Joel’s passing. Our prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Joe & Melanie Gargano
December 03, 2014
Jill & Family,
We were saddened to hear of Joel’s passing. We will not be able to attend his memorial, as we will be out of town. I would have liked to see some of the folks that, no doubt, will be attending the service, as Joel had a knack for surrounding himself with fun & talented people. Take care of yourself.
Joe & Chris Milsom
December 03, 2014
Dear Jill: I am so saddened to hear about Joel. I always loved talking to him because no matter what, his being always rang true as a well cast bell. He was quite a guy and he will be missed. Russell Blake
December 03, 2014
Dear Jill and family,I was saddened today logging into facebook and reading about Joel’s passing. Joel was one of the funniest, most caring persons I had the pleasure of working with in this life and I am so sad for your loss. Please know I am thinking of you, Jill, and your lovely children at this difficult time. Love and light, blessings and best wishes. Travel well, Joel, you will be missed! Cathy Inslee
December 03, 2014
Dear Jill and Children,
Our deepest heartfelt sympathy and love is sent to you and your children during this time of great sorrow. We know you will get through the difficult times ahead as you are full of love and support for each other. Joel and his wonderful and big personality will be sorely missed. He put up a very valiant fight for so long. He will rest peacefully now without any pain or suffering and will be there to greet you with open arms someday. Our love to you all.
The Hersheys – Don, Veronica, Annie, Julia, and Gabe
December 03, 2014
So sorry to hear of Joel’s passing. We especially enjoyed hearing all of his stories at Stephanie & Ben’s wedding. We know he was well-loved! Edele & Steve Cruse
December 03, 2014
Our thoghts and prayers for Jill and family.
He will always be remembered in a tie dye shirt playing in the band.
Cate Cunningham Maloney ..Liam Maloney
December 03, 2014
Dear Jill and family,
My sincere sympathy in the loss of your husband and father. Joel was one of a kind and will be missed by all of us here at J&J Haimes. I will especially miss our morning talks where we would solve the world’s problems. May you be blessed with peace and many happy memories of the wonderful times shared together.
Sincerely,
Chris Ressler
- Visitation
- Friday, December 05, 2014
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Friday, December 05, 2014
- 2:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
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