Christopher W. Joy
Joy, Christopher W (February 14, 2021) of Flourtown, PA. Suddenly at age 48. Beloved husband of Kimberlee (nee Hovis). Loving father to Riley and Peyton Joy. Cherished son of Margaret McGarvey (James). Loving brother of Michael Joy (Meg) and devoted uncle to Colin and Hannah Joy. He was loved by his parents-in-law Jeff and Jo Hovis and sister-in-law, Jody Polsz (Craig).
Chris was born April 13th 1972 in Philadelphia and raised in Rosemont. He graduated from Radnor High School in 1990, attended Roanoke College and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Cabrini College and Master’s degree from Gwynedd Mercy University. Chris was working on his doctorate degree from Grand Canyon University.
Chris began his professional career as a school counselor with the School District of Philadelphia in 1999. In 2005 Chris moved to Penndale Middle School in the North Penn School District. There he earned the Superintendent’s Honor Roll award in 2020. Chris was most recently named the Middle School Counseling Department Chair.
Chris had a passion for coaching. He coached middle school basketball, baseball, and track. For Springfield Township, where Chris lived, he coached youth soccer and baseball.
Chris was a music enthusiast who loved live performances, most especially from the Dave Matthews Band. He was also an avid fan of all Philadelphia sports teams, both professional and collegiate. Additionally Chris loved spending time in Ocean City, New Jersey with family and friends.
Chris was the embodiment of love and it’s fitting that he will always be remembered on Valentine’s Day. He was a hugger and whether you wanted one or not, he would give you a huge bear hug, even if he just met you.
Due to the pandemic Chris’s services will be private. His family is looking to put together a Celebration of Life at a later date when circumstances allow. In lieu of flowers contributions in Chris’s name may be made to the Christopher Joy Memorial Scholarship at North Penn School District.
Checks are made out to:
NPHS Awards
Re: Chris Joy Memorial Scholarship
Mail to:
1340 Valley Forge Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
Or donate through Venmo to:
@Penndale-Sunshine
Please be sure to include JOY in Venmo comments when sending. When prompted for the last 4 digits of the phone number associated with the receiving Venmo account please enter 6401.
I owe Chris so much, and will be forever grateful for the things he’s taught me. Thanks to him, I will remember to always find the “Joy” in life. The truest genuinely amazing human I’ve been blessed to be hugged by.
rest in peace
As young pledge in Pi Lam Chris would come visit for weekends. He had the innate ability to be like you meet him once and your a friend for life. My sympathies to his wife and kids. Rest In Peace Brother Joy… your memory will always be eternal.
My beautiful brother may be gone in the physical form but he will always live with me in my heart. Such an amazing loving human being. I will always hold our days in the highest of times. CJ, I know your “Sittin on top of the world with legs dangling free”!
Forever your buddy
BC
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris’s family and friends. A good man taken way too soon.
Chris was the epitome of what all counselors should strive for. He was an amazing man and a wonderful colleague. He will sorely missed!
Chris was a special person. I am proud to have been called “Buddy”.
Chris, I will always cherish my friendship that started 20 years ago. Even though we only saw each other every couple of years, it was always a joyful time! You will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know you! I’ll miss your hugs. Until we meet again. Love Bev (just one of the “friends of #3” ❤️
Rest Rest Easy Big Fella Chris was truly one of a kind… Sympathy to the family…. love, The Kaplow Family….
The world is a better place because of Chris’s presence among us. There is no other person who could so perfectly epitomize the name JOY! We could fill the Linc with the number of lives he has touched!
Because of your help Chris, Megan and Brian have grown into fine young adults. You were their shining star when they needed it the most. Look down upon them and smile. You did good work my friend. You will always be remembered as my “Joy Boy”. RIP
John Pilat
Mr. Joy literally brought JOY to so many lives. It was a privilege to have you as my guidance counselor & coach. I will forever cherish our memories at Penndale, especially being baseball manager for our team for two years. I will never forget that smile & your wise advice. Thank you for being there for me & so many others when they needed someone. You are loved by so many. My condolences & prayers go out to the Joy family during this time.
Chris radiated charisma and love. Everyone was Chris’s buddy. He cherished every person he met. He embraced you, hugged you, and affectionately called everyone “buddy.” The students, teachers, and staff all loved Chris and gravitated to him. We all wanted to be around him because he lived life to the fullest, had a great sense of humor, integrity and like his name – knew how to spread joy. He is leaving behind a huge legacy. He changed the lives of so many students and families. He is going to be missed. Chris spoke so lovingly of his wife, children, mom, and family. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Gone too soon… many hearts are broken. Miss you buddy…until we meet again!
It was truly a privilege to have Mr Joy as a role model and counselor in our schools. I will forever be grateful for the support he offered my family members in one of our hardest times, and will never forget his selflessness and positivity. Even just his presence in a room was always comforting. Thank you for being there for my family, and so many others that you have touched and helped so much in this life.
I am so grateful to have called Chris a friend after meeting 6 years ago. What are the chances that someone you meet in the PIT at a DMB concert will impact your life so greatly. Chris helped me navigate educational challenges I was having with my son. He would reach out to check in on how I was doing after my husband died very suddenly. Chris had a heart of gold and was truly a bright light in this world. He loved his family and friends above all else. That smile, those big bear hugs, and incredibly positive energy will be missed my friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with Kim, Riley and Peyton.
One of many friends of #3 ,
Jillese
The man, the myth, the legend-Chris Joy along with his side kick at PD, Jason “Superman” Munn. Thanks for all the school visits and laughs we shared in my office. I am happy that we were able to speak to each other last week, again giving me the opportunity to laugh and brighten my day. We had some great times sharing stories, I will miss that brightness and light heartiness you always brought with you each and every time we met. You were someone that always made me appreciate my career.”Superman” has big shoes to fill, I’m raising my glass to you!
Always a genuine person, smile always on his face, and a witty comment up his sleeve. He had a passion for helping kids and touching hearts. May his joy live in the hearts of all he knew and crossed paths with.
You will be missed. Rest In Peace. Go Birds!
I loved Chris! He welcomed me into the Penndale family in 2010, and was always there to lend a helping hand, give a hug, or just listen. He was loved by so many people and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rest In Peace, “brother.”
Mr. Joy was loved by many. He was the best counselor any student could have asked for. He truly guided so many students in the right direction and supported everyone. Anytime I would speak to him, he would always brighten up my day. We miss you.
My wife and I are deeply saddened by this news. Our thoughts go out to Chris’s family. What a great guy. We were so pleased to meet him during our son’s time at Penndale while he was track coach.
I would just like to add that our son is finishing grad school in counseling and said that Mr. Joy was the reason he entered the field. Our regards to the family.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Me. Joys family! What an amazing man! Gone way too soon! He had such a strong presence and will be truly missed! ♥️
Mr. Joy was an amazing human being who impacted every student and parent whose lives he touched . He was truly the very best part of Penndale. My deepest sympathies to his family.
So sad to hear that you have left us. He was always a bright spot in my schedule. My deepest sympathy to his wonderful family.
I worked with Chris on many difficult cases in the 11 years we worked together. I have the highest regard for his professionalism, insight, generosity, and kindness not only shown to students but staff as well. His love of life was evident which was contagious. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
I was beyond sad hearing of the passing of Mr.Joy. For two years, I had the pleasure of him being my son’s baseball coach and school counselor. He was, by far, one of my favorites. Always smiling ,always positive, always had my son’s back with counseling and with baseball. He was constantly supportive and never critical. I remember him at the end of one season telling me I had been the best fan since I not only came to every game but even to a practice! One day he told me his mother was coming to a game and if I would sit with her. It was my pleasure to do so and I enjoyed my time with her. She and the rest of his family will be in my prayers. The North Penn Community has sadly lost a great one.
I’m very sorry to hear about Chris , I coached him and Mike in baseball in the late 80’s .he was a lot of fine to coach . My deepest condolences to Mike and Chris’s family and friends !
Pat O’Connor
I’m very sorry to hear this sad news. My deepest condolences to his family.
I knew Chris and his entire family from coming into our dental practice.
I always enjoyed talking with him. He brightened our day. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts to his entire family. We lost a good one.