Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Tribute was paid to special member of the Middlesex Centre community. Earlier this month, a memorial stone was set in place at the Komoka Community Park in honour of Joe Carroll.
Among his many accomplishments, Carroll was one of the founding members of the Optimist Club of Komoka-Kilworth, with which he served for 50 years. He also spent 40 years as the fireworks captain for July 1st celebrations with the Del-Ko-Brydge Canada Day Committee.
A post by the Komoka-Kilworth Optimists on Facebook about the memorial stone reads: “We all miss you Joe and we hope this helps your memory live on. Thank you for all you did for our community in so many ways.”
Carroll served as President of the local Optimist Club in 1980-81. His achievements are remembered fondly by his associates. “Joe was active in all aspects of the Komoka park and community centre spearheading many improvements and additions. As a member of the Optimist Club he undertook many Optimist-funded projects and work bees,” says Paul Mylemans with the Komoka-Kilworth Optimists. “He could often be seen at the park and community centre on Fridays doing many repairs and additions/improvements as he had Fridays off of work in his full-time job as a certified sheet metal worker whose union members worked a 4-day work week,” adds Mylemans.
Carroll’s dedication to community service was evident in his role in the annual Canada Day celebrations. “Joe organized each Canada Day fireworks until last year, and had served as Chair of the Committee in its early years,” says Mylemans. In 2024, for health reasons, Carroll passed the job to a new generation of Canada Day celebration organizers.
“It was proposed that Joe’s time and efforts in organizing the event, both from an overall Canada Day and fireworks component, that there be a special recognition. The Optimist Club also wanted to recognize Joe for his many years of volunteering with the Club and his passion for the Komoka Park. It was decided to do a joint permanent recognition between the Optimist Club and the Del-Ko-Brydge Canada day organization. The large rock in Joe’s honour is a permanent reminder of Joe’s volunteer contribution,” says Mylemans.
