Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
ABEL JOE REMEMBERED AS OUTSTANDING ATHLETE
‘His athletic skill in every sport he played was unbelievable’
COATESVILLE >> Ross Kershey, Coatesville High School’s legendary coach, once called him the Jim Thorpe of Coatesville.
Abel Harold Joe, 64, a 1973 graduate of Coatesville High School, and who still holds the school’s discus record, died Jan. 20 of Stage 4 lung cancer. He left his mark on Coatesville as the city’s and perhaps the state’s best all-around athlete, according to former coaches and those who knew him.
“He was the best athlete I ever coached,” said Kershey, also known as the Silver Fox. “He was outstanding.”
Kershey, who coached basketball at Coatesville for 28 years and track for 18, said Able excelled as an athlete like no one else.
“Able did not come out for track because his mom was dying of cancer,” Kershey said. “He stayed home to help out at home. His brothers said he was more trouble staying at home, so he came out for track. He came to the meet without one day of practice and threw the shot put 57 feet 2 inches, threw the discus 170 feet, still a Coatesville record, and high jumped 6feet 5 inches, and won three events. And he did not have one day of practice. He was amazing.”
His brother, Dr. John Joe, said Abel was not a proud person.
“He knew pride bring on destruction,” John Joe said. “He was a legend of his time, but it didn’t affect him. He was a very kind person, and he had quick wits. He was the baby of the family.”
John Joe said Abel was a gifted artist.
“He never bragged about (his talents),” he said. “His talents came from the Lord.”
Others said Able Joe was the pride of Coatesville.
“Abel was the greatest athlete I have ever seen,” said Tim Kis-
sell. “He was just amazing. But more importantly, he was a very nice, funny guy.”
Mark Root, who was a year behind Abel at Coatesville High School, said it was a pleasure to share the athletic fields with him. “His athletic skill in every sport he played was unbelievable,” he said.
“I’ll never forget the Thanksgiving Day at Downingtown, when Abel ran for at least five touchdowns and totally dominated the game,” said Shelby Gordon. “He was surely a great football player and an even better person.”
Whatever the sport - football, track and field, basketball or baseball – Able Joe had pure, natural talent. He was inducted in Coatesville’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
His brother, Billy, 78, was also a standout athlete, a former collegiate and professional football player, and American Football League Player of the Year in 1963 with the Denver Broncos.
Abel Joe was a member of the 1973 Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star Team. He and Tony Dorsett (of the Dallas Cowboys) were starters in the same backfield. They were both drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Abel Joe was all ChesMont in football, basketball and track. In 1972 he was voted to the All State First Team in football and was he Scholastic Magazine All-American. He won the Maxwell Club Award for Outstanding Area High School football player as well as the Order of the Purple Heart award presented to Chester County’s top football player.
In the final game of his high school career, the Thanksgiving Day game with Downingtown, Abel scored five touchdowns and kicked an extra point. In the same contest he rushed for 291 yards on 19 carries. He established individual season and career records for points scored.
After graduation, he enrolled at Cheyney University, where his brother, Billy, was head coach. Abel Joe led the conference in rushing as a senior and was All-Conference First Team in 1975 in 1976. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1976 but due to an unfortunate injury, his professional career never materialized.
Abel was the starting center and co-captain of the basketball team and was chosen All Ches-Mont in his senior year.
Born in Coatesville, on Aug. 13, 1954, Abel was the youngest of six children born to the late Hammie and Sarah Belle (Williams) Joe. Abel was the husband of the late Patricia Rippy who died in 1991.
Abel was a 1973 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School and a 1977 graduate of Cheyney University. In high school, he set many football records.
In track, Abel Joe was a two-time Ches-Mont champion in the shot put and discus, as well as District Champion in the discus. To this day, he is the school’s record holder in that event at 172 feet.
Abel was a first team AllChest-Mont running back, the Maxwell Award winner, All Pennsylvania State First team, The Philadelphia Inquirer All-Area First Team, a member of the Coatesville City Sports Hall of Fame. In high school, he was captain of the football, basketball and track teams.
At Cheyney University, he still holds the season and single-game rushing record, most rushing touchdowns in a season and in a career. He was a major part of the 1967 Coatesville Little League Championship Baseball Team. He threw the high school shot put over 55 feet and high jumped over 6-feet, 5-inches.
Abel was a recreation director in Philadelphia, before his illness. He also enjoyed sports, especially football, baseball, basketball, and track & field. He was also a gifted artist. He loved spending time with his friends.
Abel was preceded in death by a brother, David Joe and sister, Dorothy Tucker (nee Joe).
He is survived by four children: sons, Michael Rodgers, Brian Brown; daughters, Salonie Joe, Jacqueline Joe; three brothers: Dr. John J. Joe (Marie) of West Caln Township, William “Billy” “Juicy” Joe (Debra) of Hoover, Alabama and James E. Joe (Angela) of Jacksonville, Florida.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the Joe family asks that contributions be made to any cancer society charity in memory of Abel H. Joe.
A memorial service for Able Joe will be held at Coatesville Area Senior High School on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is open to the public, and there will be testimonials from family, friends and guests. Kershey is in Florida and wants family and friends of Able Joe to know he will be unable to attend.