Help Melinda keep Joe Fors Dream alive

Hi, my name is Dean Paloumpis. I have been a friend of Joe Fors for 40+ years as we started our friendship at Lombard Jr. High, expanded to Glenbard East High School in Lombard, IL., and beyond. Beyond as recently driving to Minoquoa Wi. together, spending time with about eleven of our high school brothers. I also spent two years with Joe's love of his Life, Melinda at Lombard Jr. High. I speak for MANY of us...Joe held a special place in all our hearts.

We tragically lost Joe so suddenly and none of us were prepared for it. Joe and Melinda had been together 9 years yet really their story had just begun. Joe had just launched his dream this past year and Melinda supported him along the way to open a bar. He calls it Doc Holliday's Saloon.  Joe was so proud of this bar. All his friends from near and far had started traveling to come out and visit the saloon and get their photos taken with Joe.  

 

Melinda not only was a perfect companion for Joe, but she was also his wingman and biggest supporter for opening Doc Holliday Saloon in Cherry Valley, IL. near Rockford.  (Check out the bars FB Page Doc Hollidays Saloon Cherry Valley .) 
Joe and Melinda were so proud of what they achieved, only to see Joe's dream cut short only months after opening. Many of us have talked to Melinda over the last few weeks and know she spent a lot of time away from the bar while supporting Joe in the hospital. Melinda also took time away from her daytime job to be with Joe.  Joe has always been the guy who was there for everyone so we want to show him we are still here to support Melinda and keep him dream alive.

Since Joe has passed, on January 7th, 2022. Melinda knows her calling is to keep Joe's dream alive.  To do so would entail the costs of transferring licensing, gaming, and other things involved to keep the bar going. Given Melinda spent time away from the bar and her day job, bills also started to pile up.

I and others (Sabrina Onesti, Tom Gudgeon, Jean Fetters Conner, regular bar patrons, etc.) thought it would be a great idea to raise funds to help Melinda keep Joe's dream alive and help her with the current expenses. Please forward this Go-Fund-Me to whoever you think may want to contribute. Any little amount will help.  Funds donated will be available to Melinda for immediate withdrawal to help her keep things going immediately as Joe would have wanted.

Some of you might not have had the privilege of knowing Joe.  Let us tell you a little more about Joe.  Joe is one of the Good Ones Taken too soon.  Joe is the guy who was always there for all his friends.  He was the guy who would walk into the room, and Everyone would yell "Joe"!    Joe was the guy who had a contagious smile and laugh that could turn anyone's day around.   Joe is the guy who lived in the moment. 

Joe even dressed like Elvis in a Pink Elvis Suit nonetheless and rode from Chicago taking Route 66 to LA.  As he said, " to do my part for the fight against cancer I'm going to pedal across the country in a pink Elvis jumpsuit and try to raise enough donations to make a sizable contribution to the ACS and some foundations that pay for mammograms for women that can't afford them." Read more about this accomplishment here ElvisRides4Cancer 

Joe even in his passing, brought so many of us together where for many it had been way too long. We all realize that Joe has always had a way of teaching us so many life lessons.  
 
                                  -   Dream Big
                                  -   Love Big
                                  -   Hug  Big
                                  -   Smile Big
Remember it only takes a moment of your day to check in on your friends. We never know when they need us!

 

Thank you!