“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Robert Frost.
Joe Steckler, our beloved founder, a fierce advocate for seniors, and our dear friend went home to be with the Lord on January 29, 2025, at the age of 91. Joe was a very special person. He had a generous heart filled with love, a spirit filled with joy, and a soul filled with goodness. A man of courage even in the face of many health challenges. Joe showed unwavering care and compassion for others. A truly selfless person, always concerned for others above himself. Joe lived life – well.
Joe, a Graduate of the US Naval Academy and retired US Navy Captain, served primarily in submarines. Service included Executive Assistant/Flag Officer Secretary, Nuclear Weapons Division with JCS, Commodore of a Naval Recruiting Area, Commander Auburn NROTC, and Commanding Officer US Navy Retirement Home. It was his experience at the US Navy Retirement Home that sparked his passion for advocating for seniors. Although retired from the US Navy, Joe never really retired. “As long as God lets me wake up every morning, I’m just going to keep on working until I don’t wake up,” said Joe.
He founded the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation in 1995, and Joe’s Club opened its first adult day care program in 1997. Joe also ran the first AmeriCorps Project Elderserve program in the state and trail blazed the Florida Project R.E.L.I.E.F program. He founded the interfaith caregiver respite program as part of his lay pastoral ministry work, ultimately receiving the Diocese of Orlando Lumen Gentium Tribute recognizing the national repercussions of his service to seniors. Mr. Steckler also was awarded the “Crown of the Good Name” by Temple Beth Shalom (the first ever given to someone outside the Jewish faith) and has received the Florida Council on Aging “Super Senior” and “Senior Media Vision” awards. Joe founded the non-profit, Helping Seniors of Brevard, in 2011 with a mission to “Improve the quality of life for seniors through the provision of information, education, advocacy and resources.
Today, Joe’s legacy, Helping Seniors of Brevard, operates out of Joe’s Resource Center of Brevard, on Apollo Blvd in Melbourne, serving all of Brevard County, and we continue our mission set forth by Joe. Joe always recognized that Helping Seniors of Brevard exists only because of the generous donations from private citizens, bequests, small business and corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Joe never took your kindness and generosity for granted and was deeply thankful to all of you who support Helping Seniors of Brevard. His final wish that he expressed to us at Helping Seniors of Brevard, was “Keep it Going, people need us.”
Joe lived life well. We want to thank you, Joe, for your steadfast spirit, your selfless service to many and always trying to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Of the many roads one can take in life, Joe took the road less travelled, and indeed, it made all the difference. Godspeed Joe.