Pays Tribute to Joel Abels

From the first day I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Joel, I knew we would be dear friends. Through the years, we became very close and in many ways he was almost like a father to me.
Many of us have had the joy of laughing at Joel’s crazy jokes; and watching him tease and cajole the leaders of cruise lines, tour companies, and consortiums. He had an uncanny way of making a room come alive.
Joel was truly the best friend the travel industry has ever had. He and his lovely wife and life-long love the late Lenore Lewis Abels worked tirelessly to support the travel agent community and to defend it at every possible turn. He believed in travel agents and he worked to share that belief with all who read his publications and with everyone he came in contact with. He was our advocate like no one has ever been.
With the sadness of Joel’s passing comes the blessing of his long and full life, a life he shared with so many of us in so many ways. If there is a way I personally can carry on his spirit, it will be in my dedication to support and defend our industry as he would have wanted us all to do. I have learned so many valuable lessons from this great man and I will use that knowledge and remember him every day with love and gratitude.
We love you Joel....rest in peace now.
— Joanie Ogg

When I was a nursing student, more than 30 years ago, one of my classes had a guest lecturer talking about “emptiness” syndrome. He said that emptiness was best described as numbness, lack of emotion and a general inability to feel anything. I’ve been overwhelmed with those senses since learning of Joel’s death.
Even though I haven’t practiced as a nurse for years — due to my exciting and cherished career in travel — I dug through my old papers to find information about the cure for emptiness. I think Joel would have loved what I found — so would have Lenore. The number one cure for emptiness? Get a pet.
I read the tributes to Joel. So much has been said about his impact on the travel industry and on individuals seeking their own successes within the industry. It is true that Joel helped many of us in many ways. My own success as CruiseGal went over the top because of his obvious public support. Sure, I recall that aspect of my time with Joel, but I also remember others.
I remember our fight with ASTA and Joystar. I remember when he and Lenore and my hubby Herk and I went to dinner at Joel’s favorite Scottsdale restaurant. He always closed his E-mails to me with “tell Herk we said hello.”
I remember when it snowed in Bristol, England at the zoo during a Travel Trade Summit, and he was so careful to make sure Lenore was warm. I remember when I gave him a tambourine at CRUISE-A-THON and he shook it with joy and a twinkle in his eye. I remember that he loved to call me late at night and laugh when I asked him why he wasn’t in bed yet. And, I always remember to kiss my hubby goodnight because Joel said he always kissed his “bride” goodnight and that’s why their marriage had lasted.
He taught me to fight fair and fight hard. He taught me to add something personal to all my contacts. He taught me to play while I worked. And, he taught me how important a goodnight kiss could be. I want him back. Don’t we all?
— Terri Maldonado, CTC, MCC

We’ve lost a man who was passionate about the travel industry and its people. We lost someone who was not afraid or intimidated when it was time to stand up for what is right or to defend the little guy. We lost someone who so passionately believed in this industry that he would turn down advertising dollars from those who he thought to be operating a little on the shady side of things.
Joel Abels was a man who helped shape my career when several years ago Franz and I attended Pa$$port to Profit$ in Las Vegas. True to form, Joel kept all in attendance in stitches with his jokes and comments. He was so at ease with all present and you could tell that he was having a very good time. He was personable and had time to chat when we met that first time.
Throughout the years, Joel gave me the courage to stand up for what I believed in and to question, privately and in public, those who were not working with and supporting agents and those who were unfair. He gave us a platform to share information and support and assist one another in Home Based Trade. He took time to listen to my ideas, plans and dreams and to truthfully advise me as to whether or not it seemed to be worth pursuing. He was quick to speak his mind, honestly and sometimes bluntly, and he was just as quick if not more so, to pat you on the back and encourage you.
Joel was a man that many of us in this industry looked up to. He was a man respected. He was a man who brought about many changes in the industry. He was a man who was a friend to many. He will be truly, truly missed.
— Mary Brutscher

I firstmet Joel in Vancouver at a CRUISE-A-THON where he had invited my wife Joanie and me to speak at on the (then) controversial subject of Home Based travel agents. Shortly before our seminar, Joel was advised by the Attorney General’s office in British Columbia not to let the seminar take place, as Home Based businesses were not allowed there. Joel ignored the warning, we did the seminar and it was the start of a 10-year relationship that has led to the maturity of the professional Home Based segment of the travel industry.
Joel and my wife Joanie became best of friends and Joel did everything possible to help Home Based travel agents gain the recognition and respect they so dearly deserved. He was the first to allow Joanie and me to speak at a national convention on the topic when it wasn’t at all popular to do so and he started the first trade publication for Home Based travel agents. In fact, Joel pretty much pioneered the professional Home Based agent evolution and never confused professionals with wannabes.
Joel was dedicated, savvy beyond belief, yet always had time to talk to any agent who approached him. Joanie and I will dearly miss Joel’s friendship, wit and advice. Joel’s passing is a loss to us personally, to the tens of thousands of travel agents who Joel touched and to the travel industry overall. Neither Joanie nor I will ever forget him.
— Tom Ogg

Joel,
thanks for your service....
To our God. Because of your devotion, our Creator was surely waiting at the gates of heaven for your arrival. There is a need for guidance and advice about travel throughout the Heavenly realm. There was only one choice for this assignment.
To your family. Through good times and the most difficult parents can face, your childhood sweetheart was and still is the star in your eye.
To your country. Because of dedicated, heroic service in defense of freedom and democracy, you allowed us who served after you the privilege of career service in the world’s best military. We thank you...standing at attention.
To your industry. A beacon in the waters of travel, you were able to separate the wheat from the chaff and guide our efforts to make the dreams of millions of vacationers come true.
To all of God’s small creatures. Lost and forgotten, but not without love, you championed those agencies dedicated to helping animals who could not help themselves. Oh... we know God has put you in charge of any ferals that have made it to Heaven. Enjoy.
— Rusty Pickett

Joel was our champion, even when it meant taking a stand opposite that of huge airlines and suppliers. He was our advocate when others, including major agency membership organizations, were not. His unwavering support of and for agents, probably more than any one single person, did more to emphasize the importance of continuing education and learning for the travel agent community. All of the “Joel-A-Thons”, as some affectionately call them, are a past and future testimony to that belief and support, and will keep his memory alive for years to come.
Charlie said he had often thought all the words above and wish he had taken time to say them to Joel a week or a year ago, even if only in an E-mail. We both know he would have had a quick reply even if it had been sent at 1 a.m. because he was that dedicated to what he did. He truly was the epitome of the phrase, “If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” We will not soon see his likes again.
— Sherrie and Charlie Funk

Several years ago, I won the Carnival “Recipe for Success” competition and was invited to my first CRUISE-A-THON. I will never forget what a huge impression that Joel Abels made on me. I told him I wanted to do more in the business, and he immediately started to include my articles and ran a picture and letter from me as a Spotlight many times to help me get some recognition. He will definitely be missed by the many travel agents who have looked to him for valuable information and support.
— Angela Criss

It was through Joel’s perseverance, insight and love for the travel agent community and a relationship to the industry as a whole that has enabled all of us to succeed and prosper as entrepreneurs in the travel industry.
— Sherry Kennedy

Joel meant so much to many people in many different ways. Not only was he the most knowledgeable person in the travel industry, he was always accessible to everyone. That means CEOs, politicians, industry leaders and travel agents.
He had the keenest mind, a great memory and a sense of loyalty that never would be compromised. And I cannot forget his wit, which reminded me of Groucho Marx. I remember when he was handing out prizes at a CRUISE-A-THON, and he started to read from a sheet of paper describing a 2-night stay somewhere. He stopped in mid-sentence and said, “This is a lousy prize, I’m not giving it out. Let’s find something better.”
I have been a self-educated travel agent for over 15 years, always Home Based. I read every trade journal and went to many CRUISE-A-THONs to gather more knowledge.
When I moved into a new community four years ago, my homeowners association was not pleased that “anyone” would be working out of their home. When they threatened me with a lawsuit unless I closed up my business within 60 days, I was appalled.
I remembered some of Joel’s editorials about the Home Based. I gathered some old issues, contacted Joel and was surprised that he took the time to talk to a simple Home Based agent. Then, with ammunition in hand, I demanded a meeting with the board of directors of the association. I laid out my case, so succinctly that within five minutes, the board backed down totally.
Joel even took the time to contact me afterwards just to ask how I did. I told him that not only did I win, but the Governor of Florida had also set up a task force to assist others who had problems with homeowners associations.
Joel asked me to write about it. My first article in Home Based Trade was “Look Out Big Brother, Here Comes Your Big Sister.”
That one piece led to monthly articles and has expanded to my Flips and Flops column, and becoming a motivational speaker. And finally, going to the stage to accept the Finalist Award in the Travel Agent of 2006 election. Joel opened many doors for me — as for so many others.
Joel has mentored every agent who has read Travel Trade and Home Based. He has instilled in me not just to do the best for my clients, but also to share the best with other agents.
Lenore was his true love. To see his face light up when he talked about their long time romance is the picture I will always remember. Joel was a “Purrrrfect Gentleman.”
— Les-Lee Roland