Our Friend Joe

Availability:
Ebook in format. Available for immediate download after we receive your order
Also available in PDF format

DRM:
Open - No Protection

Publication Year:
2012

ISBN-13: 9781553801429

When a young black man named Seraphim “Joe” Fortes arrived in Vancouver in 1885, with little to his name, no one could have possibly suspected that one hundred years later he would be voted “Citizen of the Century.” Our Friend Joe is the first biography of the West Indian sailor who became a local legend, saving dozens of lives and teaching three generations of Vancouver children how to swim. On a chance rowboat ride not far from the city, he would find his “perfect place” in English Bay, where the untold story truly begins. In 1900, after years of volunteering, Joe was officially hired by the City as lifeguard, swimming instructor and special constable of English Bay beach. Colourful, often poignant details chronicle Joe's many adventures both on and off shore, his genuine rapport with citizens of all ages and his deeply personal relationship with one Vancouver family. On February 7, 1922, thousands of mourners lined Vancouver's streets to bid farewell to “our friend Joe.” His legacy continues today, with one of Vancouver's libraries named after him. Part of the proceeds from this biography are being donated to the Lifesaving Society/Société du Sauvetage, Canada's national organization for lifeguarding and water safety expertise.<p class="MsoNormal">When a young black man named Seraphim &#8220;Joe&#8221; Fortes arrived&#10;in Vancouver in 1885, with little to his name, no one could have possibly&#10;suspected that one hundred years later he would be voted &#8220;Citizen of the&#10;Century.&#8221; <i>Our Friend Joe</i> is the first&#10;biography of the West Indian sailor who became a local legend, saving dozens of&#10;lives and teaching three generations of Vancouver children how to swim. On a&#10;chance rowboat ride not far from the city, he would find his &#8220;perfect place&#8221; in&#10;English Bay, where the untold story truly begins. In 1900, after years of&#10;volunteering, Joe was officially hired by the City as lifeguard, swimming&#10;instructor and special constable of English Bay beach. Colourful, often&#10;poignant details chronicle Joe's many adventures both on and off shore, his&#10;genuine rapport with citizens of all ages and his deeply personal relationship&#10;with one Vancouver family. On February 7, 1922, thousands of mourners lined&#10;Vancouver's streets to bid farewell to &#8220;our friend Joe.&#8221; His legacy continues&#10;today, with one of Vancouver's libraries named after him. Part of the proceeds&#10;from this biography are being donated to the Lifesaving Society/Soci&#233;t&#233; du&#10;Sauvetage, Canada's national organization for lifeguarding and water safety&#10;expertise.</p>