We Will Miss You Joy Burke (Great Escape Charters)

[tleemay]

For nearly 15 years, thousands of divers who called the toll
free and local business telephone lines for Great Escape Charters
were usually greeted by the pleasant voice of Joy, the mother of
Captain Tim.

Joy had a unique skill with communicating over the phone, a skill
she retained after retiring from the phone company after many
years as an operator and customer service rep. She was always
polite and never was blustered by the sometime angry or
belligerent person on the other end of the line. She was a pure
professional. Tim put these skills to work as he grew the
business.

Those of us who have had the pleasure to spend time with Joy in
person always felt a special connection to her. She was kind,
wise, and always looking out for those of us who grew close to
her. Personally, to me anyway, she was "Mom Joy" - my boat
mother if you will.

Earlier this week, Joy passed away in her sleep. She was 85.

A this time, there are no definitive plans for a funeral until
after the Labor Day Weekend. Captain Tim, his brother and sister,
are all taking things slowly. While this was not an unexpected
event, it is obviously one that will cause extensive grieving,
especially amongst the grand and great grand kids.

Joy loved being on the Great Escape, especially on multi-day
trips. Labor Day Weekend was one of her favorites when
Esther and Odon had the charters - she loved Catalina and
San Clemente Isle.

Please join me in sending our words of encouragement and
condolences to Captain Tim and his family.

[Darth Diver]

Will pray for her.

[kelpmermaid]

A friendly voice on the phone, indeed. She will be missed.

[peewee2472]

My posting may be late but I want to still share that she was a pleasant lady to talk to. The last time I spoke to Joy was in May when I was booking a dive for me and my buddies...

Have fun up there Joy and tell the big guy to keep an eye out for all divers out there!!!