It is a heavy heart and great sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. Joe. Joseph Patrick Markovich passed away on Friday, September 30, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. (Obituary)
I remember his first day on the rugby practice pitch. He was excited about getting involved with the team and it’s players. At 54 years of age, he displayed the attitude and dedication seen in a quality prospective player; something I never forgot.
Over the next 2 years, I got to know Joe pretty well. His participation with the team increased and he convinced me to come in for a chiropractic once over; for those who don’t know, this man was an incredible chiropractor. And of all those visits, those hours of conversation, I can’t say that I knew him as well as I would have liked. But, I can tell you some things that I learned about the man. I know that he is a loving father and husband. I know that he was absolutely devoted to his family. I can tell you (again) that he is an amazing chiropractor. I can tell you that when I lost my job and my insurance, he saw and treated my busted-bones for free. I can also tell you this was a man whose charity reached more people than I could mention. I suppose that sometimes I am not the man I should be; there were times when I overheard the quiet whispers of ‘thanks’ which were only meant for his ears.
More important to this posting, I can tell you he loved to play sports. He played football and wrestled as a young man. Spent time with all his children encouraging their athletic aspirations. And interestingly, I can tell you this, he never played rugby. That is, he never played rugby until his son became a rugby player. This is a man who, in an effort to form a greater bond with his son, decided to play rugby,… at 54. I have played since ’89. This is not a kind sport. It is a hard sport, with hard players with little time for folly or pretense. Joe fit right in. I always thought he had played for years.
As to his relationship with his son and their new sport; I never came that close to him. But in his efforts to draw closer to his son, he invited a new family into his life. The Outlaw family. We were fortunate enough to spend time with Joe. And as I write this, I don’t think I can quite articulate what he meant to us as a family. So I will pass on a sad, but genuine anecdote. This past Saturday after Joe’s passing, the team traveled up to Raleigh, NC for difficult match. My trip was a long 5 hour trip with 4 veteran players; our conversations filled with inanity and sophomoric quips. When there was a lull in the inane chatter, I cut in with the sad news of Joe’s passing. I had not expected what came next. It was the first time in my life I had experienced deafening silence. 30 minutes. Not a word.
God’s speed Dr. Joe! Your family, and all of your families miss you! Heaven’s rugby team just got better.
Thanks for fixing me up buddy…
—Clark— (Coach and Member of the Outlaws)
Dan Markovich, Dr. Joe’s son, played four years with the College side and was a great contributor to the team. Both he and his father are some of the best people I have ever had the priviledge to know. Thanks for everything.
—Sam Cook— (C of C RFC Alumni)