Man drowns trying to save family dog
Walking his chocolate labrador, Brookie, along the shores of Antrim Lake and the Olentangy River was a pleasure for Joe Crites.
With the sun shining late Thursday morning, Crites drove Brookie from their nearby Northwest Side neighborhood home to their favorite local walking spot.
“We’ll never know if she saw a duck or goose north of the pond,” said Carole Crites, Joe’s wife of 37 years.
Brookie, who is 9 years old and trained to hunt water fowl, dashed into the Olentangy River near a lowhead dam.
Joe Crites at first threw his coat out on the water to try to draw the struggling Brookie to safety. Witnesses said that the dog’s head went under water and Joe jumped in after her.
“He was just reacting,” Carole Crites said.
Joe Crites, 67, lost his life in the river. Brookie was able to make it out alive.
Carole Crites said she was married more than 37 years to Joe but during the past few days as they are preparing for the funeral, she learned Joe Crites, 67, drowned while attempting to rescue the family dog from the Olentangy River. things about him she never knew.
Joe Crites loved the outdoors and communicated that passion to his children, Kenny and Keely. Kenny and his friends learned from Joe how to change the oil in their cars. He taught his nieces how to cook special dishes.
“These are things they will never forget and things Joe did without looking for praise or thanks. He did them just because he was Joe,” Carole Crites said in her husband’s obituary.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Road. Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the EganRyan Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Joe’s GoFundMe page or your favorite animal organization.
Since his tragic drowning, some have asked Carole Crites if she hates the dog.
“There’s not a remote possibility of that,” she said. “She is a member of our family and he gave up his life to save her. How could you be mad?”