Topic: Smokin' Joe Dies at Age 67

[Skhilled (OP)]

When I was little I lived behind his house. The back of our houses faced each other. We went to school with his kids and went to their birthday parties, etc. He was a very nice man. When we wasn't training he would sit outside and play checkers with us. He and my grandfather were good friends and would sit out back and talk a lot. That was even before he became champ.

A few years after he was champ, around the time of the 2nd fight with Ali, he moved to Lafayette Hills which is a suburb of Philly. They kept in touch for a number of years after that then we lost touch with them except for Marvis who we'd see around town off and on.

R.I.P. Mr. Joe. 

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20111108_Final_bell_for_Philly_legend.html?c=r

[Ken]

He was indeed a good man and it's sad to see his passing.

One of my favorite memories of Joe was watching him box a match early in his career where he was actually lifting his opponent up off the canvas with some of his body blows.

[Skhilled (OP)]

Yes, he was good for doing that. He was a terror in the ring but the nicest man out of it...always smiling.