Joseph (“Joe”) Crehan was born in Tampa, Florida, on May 26, 1959, and lived his entire
life in Florida until his unfortunate early passing from a cardiac event on November 30, 2021,
when returning from a Thanksgiving vacation. In speaking with other born and raised Floridians,
Joe would always say they were “giving” their state away with so many others moving into
Florida. Joe believed in living life to the fullest, even in recent years when he was hampered by
a foot injury and wore a “Dr. Makimaa boot” for so long that friends teased him that it had
become a part of his body. Joe was an avid sailor and made his way to the Florida Keys around
1988, where he lived in Key West until his passing. While in Tampa, Joe worked in the medical
field at hospitals and then eventually became a paramedic after moving to the Keys. He was a
Monroe County paramedic for 13 years and was recognized once as “Paramedic of the Year.” Joe
loved that job, even though it was stressful, as he was able to help others in their time of need.
You would always find Joe there to help anyone, whether it was to fix your auto, hang hurricane
shutters, securing a boat for hurricanes, moving furniture, or just whatever someone wanted, he
was the “go to guy.” Joe gave so much, but in numerous quiet ways, and never wanting to
take any credit. Joe also worked many years at Publix, and as an Associate and then later a
Project Manager for West Marine, where he continued to work until his early death, and he
cherished the many friends he made over the years that he met through that job.
When not working, sailing was his passion and he loved his 41’ Morgan Out Island
sailboat, “Bajka,” which he lived on for many years. Joe, who was known as Sailor Joe, loved
cruising the waters of the Florida Keys, whether on Bajka or his small dinghy, which he even took
from Key West to Marathon once. In 1997, Joe and close friends, won the Key West to Veradero,
Cuba Race, in the cruising boat division. Joe often participated in the Schooner Wharf Wrecker’s
Cup Races and it was at a race in 1998 that he met his soulmate for life, Tricia Eables. With all of
his immediate family members dying before they turned 40 years old, Joe always believed this
would also be his fate in life. So, upon turning 40 in 1999, Joe retired from Monroe County and
he and Tricia cruised the Caribbean for over two years sailing all the way to St. Thomas before
eventually returning to Key West. They had the time of their lives, with many friends joining
them along the way, and remained friends for life with people they met on the various islands.
In 2005, Joe and Tricia purchased their dream home in Key West, known as the
“Treehouse”, and Joe was often found reading on the widow’s walk or making new friends with
strangers walking by on the street, whom he would often invite upstairs to see the view. Joe was
a constant reader, whether it was books, magazines, or his beloved New York Times, which he
got every day. Joe had an amazing mind and memory and was a firm believer that everyone
needed to know what was happening in the world so you could carry on a conversation at happy
hour. One could always find Joe with a smile on his face and being the life of a party, never
knowing what antic he may pull next. Joe had a life motto that “tough times don’t last, but tough
people do, so always be strong.” So, while Tricia, many friends, and family will miss Joe and his
smile every day, we know that he made a difference in this world and he will continue to look
out for us. So, fair winds and following seas, Sailor Joe!!
