Joel A. SomersJoel passed away from aspiration pneumonia as a complication of a ten-year struggle with Huntington’s Disease.
He will be missed as the son of Tim and Pat Somers, brother and brother-in-law to Henry Somers and Desiree Mitri, uncle to Charlotte and Liam Somers, as a cousin, nephew, and grandson, and by his friends. His sincere appreciation of the professional and loving staff of DuPage Care Center, who attended to his every need during the final years of his life, will not be forgotten. Joel’s immediate “thank you” for even the smallest things done to help him touched the hearts of many, as Huntington’s Disease gradually took away his ability to do even the smallest things to help himself.
From early elementary school through community college years Joel participated in local club and school swim teams. He played a season of high school football and remained a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, much to his brother’s dismay. Joel was always a foodie, showing an interest in cooking from childhood on. Urged to attend culinary school by his older brother, he graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago, and worked for three years at The Grand Floridian Hotel at Disney World in Orlando until his disability ended that career. He always enjoyed watching cooking shows and shared recipe tips and techniques from his room at DuPage Care with his mom and dad when they FaceTimed him during meal prep in the home kitchen.
The 38 years of his life have been short by some measure, but the legacy of kindness and generosity he leaves will last far longer in the hearts of those who knew him.
If you knew Joel or Somers family members please contact them at JoelsCommemorative@gmail.com about a private commemorative event that will happen on Saturday, February 3rd.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts please donate if you are able, to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Please see the link at the bottom of the page.
