Joe Pascoe – a tribute
It was at the end of summer 2012 when Joe Pascoe enquired about becoming a Tuff. It is always difficult to assess how each new member will get involved, but we were so lucky that he chose Tuff Fitty.
A rapid swimmer and runner, Joe was also very useful on the bike, although he used to get ribbed about his ‘garden gate’, a bike too large for him, until he was educated otherwise, and progressed to more suitable machines.
Whilst it takes four to do well in making up a team, at our own Frosty Aquathlon, Joe was soon placed into a team with Kev, CPL & NPL and they secured a Tuff win, the first one in many years – a feat the same quartet repeated the next year in 2014.
There was no doubt about Joe’s racing prowess as he went on to become Club champion in 2014. This was when Tuff Fitty’s championship comprised seven different races and participants could take their best three race results towards the overall championship. Proving that this wasn’t just a ‘one off’, Joe promptly went on to become club champion again in 2016. A further championship followed in 2017 and then the format was revised to have a different challenge. This comprised a threefold championship of a Sprint, Standard and middle distance race. So how would Joe fare over different race distances? Very well, as in 2018 he won the Sprint championship; came second in the Standard, and second in the 70.3 category; the race where so many Tuffs raced in the biblical rain at Ironman Weymouth 70.3 and playing his part in enabling the large Tuff team to earn an IM award.
All this commitment to Tuff Fitty was during a period when he married Tania and they had two beautiful daughters, Eryn & Felicity. Whilst we like to think of our club as a large family and have a good reputation as a friendly club, Joe helped (along with fellow Tuffs) to make different clubs and racers sit up and notice as the Tuff Fitty brand was elevated with his podium results. None of his success would weaken Joe’s approachability and the support he willingly gave out to members earning him complete respect.
Whilst living on the outer reaches of the Tuff catchment area at Shoreham Beach, Joe was a regular at Tuff swims and so many of the club events, from the Frosty either racing or marshalling, Lido races, Club 100 bike rides, training camps and cross country. One particularly memorable occasion was when Joe finished high up at the Goodwood Cross Country and remarked ‘that was tough’ but he had cycled across from Shoreham and refused a lift home, cycling back afterwards.
What perpetuates, and makes our memories of Joe continue to shine so brightly was his incredibly funny and outlandish sense of humour, all achieved without demeaning anyone. In our initial announcement to members a lot of different, hilarious anecdotes were shared, too many to mention here. One particularly funny moment shared. Whilst helping to marshal the Frosty in torrential rain, Joe decided to take refuge in a waste bin, as only Joe could.
The clubs training camps were also referred to. One at Sandy Balls camp saw dinner in a local pub where a whole set of Mr Men books were on a shelf. Joe decided to take these down and start a debate in deciding which Mr Men, closely resembled a Tuff at the dinner table; with hilarious results.
The Isle of Wight training camp was another reference point. The morning run meandered along the Beach on the way to Ryde and Joe decided to take an impromptu dip almost losing his running shorts and no one else decided to followed him in!
Many will be unaware of Joe’s considerable work behind the scenes supporting the club for which the chairman is particularly grateful. It was therefore fitting that Joe became club captain organising rides, there was his mystery bike tour ! and notably his unique ‘Tuff with added Tuff challenge’.
We were all devastated when Joe lost his fight with cancer, but none more so than Tom Goddard who saw Joe earlier that evening before his passing. whilst Tom and Joe regularly jostled for podium positions, they forged a very close bond. This friendship was cemented when they both qualified as GB Athletics and travelled to the European Championships in Lisbon in June 2016
This friendship developed further with their respective families and one year later they teamed up for the Breca Swim Run in August 17. The race report highlights their banter and togetherness and their wicked shared sense of humour is well worth another read with the link to that article shown (here) .
Taking a PG Tips monkey and christening it Tuff Tony, Joe was responsible for creating a club mascot which saw several Tuffs copy his move buying their own monkey. This has resulted in ‘Tuff Tony’ going on several excursions abroad forming yet another permanent reminder of our friend.
Our header photo was as recent as October 2020 at the Eastbourne Duathlon. Joe’s cancer was becoming more debilitating but such was his courage, and fortitude he was determined to compete at Arundel Triathlon in May 21. Several other (non Tuffs) thought the conditions were too wet (they were bad) and didn’t attend the event, but unsurprisingly Joe was present with Tania supporting him and chaperoned around the course by Tom to cross the finishing line which was so moving for all those present .
Whilst known that his cancer was terminal it has still been a tremendous shock that Joe has been taken from his family at such a young age (34). We are though, extremely thankful and blessed that we were able to share Joe’s positivity – he undoubtedly enriched our lives, & it is hoped will be a source of inspiration to all of us over the coming years. Joe really did epitomise everything a Tuff should try to be.
Tuff Fitty are looking at how we can perpetuate his memory, but for now; thank you for being a Tuff, Joe, it has been such a joyous adventure for us all.
Tania has very kindly provided details of Joe’s funeral which has been set for Thursday 21st October at 3.30pm. It is acknowledged that the venue will be squashed but she very kindly asked that the membership be informed. What will make you smile is that The dress code is colourful and casual, and flip flops! his request – how very Joe! People are welcome to send flowers, but there is an option to donate to Joe’s chosen charities instead – St Barnabas and Macmillan.
If anyone would like to view the service it will be on a webcast as follows:-
The following link will take you straight to the login page https://www.hdtribe.co.uk/shoreham-chapel.htm?bb=2 but it can also be accessed by going to Tribe’s website www.hdtribe.co.uk and selecting Our Chapels/Shoreham Chapel/Shoreham Funeral Webcast. The password is pascoe21j (all lowercase, all one word – made up of surname, date, first initial). A video displaying the service details will be broadcast approximately half an hour before the webcast starts at 3.30 p.m., so people will know they have successfully accessed the stream and the audio but it will not actually commence until perhaps a minute or two before the service itself begins at which point the camera will switch to the live view of the chapel. This should occur automatically but, if in doubt, the user can always refresh their browser at the time the service is due to commence. Please note that, particularly if viewing via an Apple device, it may be necessary to manually turn on the volume to hear the transmission and the holding video provides additional instructions
