Promoter turned engineer doted on his kids
Joseph (Joe) Recchia of Waterloo Born: Dec. 29, 1944, in Kitchener Died: Jan. 15, 2024, of cancer
Joe Recchia is best known as the highly successful concert promoter who brought some of the biggest names in entertainment to the University of Waterloo in the 1960s and early 1970s.
In 2022, the documentary film "Rock This Town," recounted the remarkable musical journey of Recchia, a young engineering student at the time.
He would later tell a reporter, “I came onto the campus and it was a social wasteland.” He said students were “dying to have entertainment in their lives.”
It was a void he couldn’t ignore and responded by bringing in musicians such as the Bee Gees, Joni Mitchell, BB King, Chuck Berry and so many more. Despite the success, this was not the future Recchia had planned for himself.
“He gave up the entertainment stuff because he wanted to concentrate on business,” said his wife, Susan Forwell.
Recchia was born Dec. 29, 1944, in Kitchener, one of James and Catherine Recchia’s two sons.
With his keen mind and methodical way of thinking, Recchia chose engineering as a career. After graduating with a master’s degree in 1971, he worked in the tire industry, first for BFGoodrich and eventually he joined tire exporter Treadway Tire Company, a job that took him around the world.
In his personal life, Recchia loved being a dad to his four biological children and two stepchildren. They were followed by more than a dozen grandkids.
“His focus was on what was most important and that was family,” said daughter Carol Tompkins. “He did everything he could (for us).
“When you came into his life, you were his child,” added Tompkins, who had been given up for adoption as an infant. Recchia didn’t know Tompkins existed until she connected with her dad in her 30s. He was thrilled to have another daughter to dote on.
Next came two stepchildren from his third wife, Susan Forwell.
“All of us felt he was our dad, the father you always wanted,” said Tompkins.
Susan’s son, Ryan Forwell, concurred. “He welcomed Susan’s kids into his family with open arms, treated us like his own kids.”
Recchia was married three times, first to Betty Anne Keller from 1969 to 1989. They had two children, Jonathon and Holly. Keller produced the film, “Rock This Town.”
With his second wife, Joy Campbell Recchia, they had one daughter, Carleigh. They were married for a decade before she died of cancer in 2004.
In 2007, he married teacher Susan Forwell.
Her first memories of her husband were of their dating phase, when he’d surprise her with trips. A planned trip to London ended up including a side adventure to Venice, a place that had been on her bucket list. An Asian trip finished up in Bali.
“When we met, we were in our 50s,” she said. “He had a tremendous amount of energy, he was fun to be with, very creative.
“He was very much Type A and responded to everything right away.”
Recchia certainly knew how to get things done, whether it was a home repair or something his wife wanted. She was the envy of her friends. He also loved to shop.
“He liked to help me pick out clothes,” she said. “He enjoyed fashion.”
The couple travelled extensively, with Forwell often joining Recchia on his business trips to South Africa, China, Dubai, Thailand, many places around the world that offered both business opportunities and sightseeing.
“He was very good at business,” said Forwell. “Joe was very well liked.”
What set him apart from competitors was his deep interest in how the people lived. Recchia would learn about the culture and customs of whatever country he was sent to negotiate. He showed respect.
When he retired a few years ago, the company held a party in Las Vegas during a convention, inviting his clients from around the world. They all wanted to show Recchia how his unique style was appreciated.
At home, he spent time showing his children and grandchildren how much he loved them.
“We were a blended family, with13 grandchildren,” said Forwell. “Christmas was an extravaganza.”
He remembered every child’s birthday, always buying them gifts they would like.
As they grew older, he taught them about money management, ensuring a stable financial future.
“He was tremendously creative, intelligent, kind and had a generous spirit,” said Forwell.
Four years ago, Recchia was diagnosed with lymphoma. In 2022, he told a reporter he’d been one of eight coworkers from the BFGoodrich plant to develop a serious illness. He didn’t join in on the classaction lawsuit against the company.
“I’ve had a really happy life,” he said, adding “If I die tomorrow, so be it.”
Recchia died Jan. 15 at age 79.