Joseph “Joe” Lesnefsky, age 63 passed away at his Prior Lake home on Monday, May 4, 2015 after bravely battling cancer. He will be greatly missed by his devoted wife, Dawn and loving son, Justin, along with numerous family members and friends.
Joe was born in Camden, NJ on February 7, 1952 the fifth of seven children born to Joseph and Mary Lesnefsky. If you believed half the stories he told about growing up he survived a loving, wild childhood always staying just a few steps out of trouble. Joe took his street smarts and applied it to his early careers as a young boy. Such as persuading Campbell’s employees to buy his Yum Yum ice cream from his corner street stand. And working with the big men in the ship yard at the age of 14. Joe followed in his father’s footsteps and worked at the Schmidt’s Brewery from 1970-1986.
Joe enjoyed a couple of decades of the single life before meeting Dawn Maddocks in 1987. He always said he was waiting for a woman strong enough to settle him down. They married in January 1991 and were blessed later that year with a son, Justin. After a lifetime as a “Jersey” boy Joe and his family moved to Minnesota in 1999 to be closer to Dawn’s family. Having worked at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City, NJ for 10 years Joe easily moved to Mystic Lake Casino where he spent the last 15 years.
Joe was a strong, tough guy but for those who were lucky enough to know him he will be remembered for his sweetness and sense of humor. Joe loved to fish and he embraced the MN lake fishing, always just a few minutes away. He enjoyed getting a “load on” with friends and never missed an opportunity to make a donation to the Canterbury Card Club.
Joe was a huge supporter of sports on the sideline. He could be heard in the bleachers cheering on his son, nieces, nephews or the other team mates. If Joe wasn’t attending a game, he was watching the games on the TV. His family was most important but we can’t forget Joe’s devoted care to his animals, Sam, Bootsie and Lucky.
Although he has moved on he won’t be forgotten. For those of us lucky enough to have loved Joe we have a thousand funny stories of something he did or said he did to bring him to life.
