Joseph John Linik

Joseph John Linik

December 03, 1949 - May 21, 2014

Joseph John Linik

December 03, 1949 - May 21, 2014

Obituary

Joseph John Linik, 64, died at his home May 21, 2014, of a sudden heart attack. Services will be held June 16, 7 p.m. at the InSpirit Center for Spiritual Living Church in Mission Viejo, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Irvine Eagles Special Olympics team where Joe coached for 14 years. To do so, make checks payable to SOSC. Include in the memo line, “In memory of Joseph Linik for Irvine Eagles.” Mail to: Special Olympics Orange County Region, 550 N. Parkcenter Drive, Suite 102, Santa Ana, CA 92705. For credit card donations, call 714-564-8374.

Joe was born December 3, 1949, in Trenton, New Jersey to Joseph and Irene Linik. He attended Marian High School in Framingham, Massachusetts and graduated in 1968. He earned his B.A. Degree from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio in 1972.

Joe served in the U.S. Army, Signal Corps, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a commissioned officer from 1972-1975. After being honorably discharged from the service, he continued his migration west, ever in search of milder climes and relaxed lifestyles. When he discovered the sunshine and sandy beaches of Southern California, he rested. He finally settled in Irvine, California where he launched a career in sales and marketing.

A true sports fan, Joe adopted UCLA as his football team. He enjoyed attending games in the Rose Bowl, often with his brother, Frank, and-after his formative years in the chilly Northeast-he especially relished wearing shorts and a T-shirt to November tailgating parties on the green golf course in the Arroyo.

Joe was a lifelong fitness aficionado. He enjoyed running and working out in the gym. He also enjoyed the social aspect of exercise, encouraging and coaching others to reach fitness goals When he was discharged from the Army, his colleagues at Fort Sill gave him a trophy of a runner and the inscription said, “He kept them running.” He continued this passion as a 14-year volunteer coach for Special Olympics in basketball and floor hockey. Again, he received a plaque, a photo of the team with an inscription stating that the Irvine Eagles would not be where they are today without the efforts of Joe Linik.

Joe made friends easily and kept friends down through the years, evidenced by those traveling across the country and across oceans to attend his memorial service. His voice, contagious laugh and gregarious spirit will be sincerely missed.

Joe was a member of the InSpirit Center for Spiritual Living Church in Mission Viejo, California where he sang in the choir.

Survivors include two brothers, Frank (Janet) Linik, Visalia, California and Lawrence (Joyce) Linik and their son, Nicholas, of Corvallis, Oregon. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Irene Linik, and a brother, Jeffrey. His many friends and family will miss him.

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2 responses to Joseph John Linik

  1. Joe has been a bright spot in our lives for many years and holidays with him were always special. His laugh and positive attitude, regardless of the situation, have been inspirational and will always be. Joe is one of a kind and deserves Heaven and everlasting peace. We are luck to have known Joe. Love, Nancy & Wayne Miele

  2. Ron Howerton says:

    “We will always have fond memories of Joe and were thankful that we had come to know him. We will especially remember all the Christmas seasons when Joe would visit his brother Frank and his wife Janet. My wife and I would always show up with one of her homemade chocolate pies which always made Joe a happy camper! Our hearts go out to Frank, Janet, Larry and all of Joe’s family and friends. He was a great guy to know and we will miss him very, very much. God bless. –Ron & Kathy Howerton

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