Family’s helping family’s

The son of Joe Cottrell Sr is trying to raise money to bring his father home from Frank E Smith funeral home in Lancaster OhioJoseph A. Cottrell Sr. was born August 28th, 1972 in Lancaster, OH. A small town Southeast of Columbus. He graduated from Lancaster High School and had achieved some college. My father was a "Jack of all trades". He loved fixing motorcycles, cars, and playing guitar. He put everyone before himself, and made sure everyone he knew was taken care of. He was also part of the Loyal Order of Moose 955 Lodge. He had different connections with each family member and had impacted every person that was in his life.

Personally, my dad meant everything to me. We had a lot of great memories. From going to Virginia Beach. Busch Gardens. Monster Truck shows. The car drifting we did, while listening to Avenged Sevenfold. What a rush that was! We would go on motorcycle rides. That was one of his favorite things to do. It was him and I, hitting the road! We would jam on our Guitars every chance we got. Man he loved to play Guitar. He was also a fantastic Piano player, and gave the best bear hugs! I really enjoyed going with him, to visit his family.
You see, life became a little more different for him, than most, at a very young age. When he was 8, he hit a brick wall on a bicycle, in Lancaster, coming down Main Street hill, after his brakes exploded off of his bike. He had to learn to walk again. How to use his hand and arm again. He struggled a bit with mobility ever since, but it never slowed him down! He was 27 when I was born. He worked hard, to make sure I was taken care of, even though he was always in pain.
We moved to Virginia, when I was about 2, into a two story Condo. It was nice, but no playground, lol. We lived there a year or so, when we decided to move north around Hampton, to be closer to his grandfather. That was when he became a real life Hero, and saved a baby. He literally saved a baby's life! The news interviewed him, and he did not even want to be shown. Did not even care, about the recognition. THAT, was my dad.
I was 4, I think, when he found out he had Type 2 Diabetes. Had it under control. Was doing great. But the pain from his childhood injuries, along with the Diabetic pain, got worse, the older he got. Diabetes took control of him, and he did not recover from it. He turned to prescription drugs, to ease the pain. They took control of him next. He would always say, the pain was so bad, he just did not care anymore. The drugs did not work for him any longer. He knew that his time was running out. That he was on borrowed time. He was right. How right I wish he wasn't!.
"Hey dad, where are we going? Far far away, and a way way afar." He would use that phrase so much! I never got sick of it. He had so many phrases. I ate them all up! I love him so much! My life will never be the same, without him. The one phrase he loved using the most, "I love you, and you'll see me in the funny papers". Well, you weren't kidding dad! https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lancastereaglegazette/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-a-cottrell&pid=197138288&fhid=41242



This is my dad. He died on Wednesday. My dad. My hero. We still don't know why 100%, as results have not come back just yet. Right now, I am hurting too much, to even think about it. My dad is gone. I am completely lost without him. I did not expect I would lose him, this soon! It isn't fair! We were so excited that we were going to have Thanksgiving and Christmas together. He was staying with me recently. Myself, and my girlfriend put up the Christmas tree while he was sleeping. He woke up, came out, as he was walking by the tree, without even stopping, said, "What, did I sleep through Thanksgiving?!" We all laughed so hard. I am going to miss him. I was given his name. How proud I am, to have it. How proud I am, of my dad. How proud I am, to be his son. How proud, I am, to carry on his legacy. I will make sure he stays proud of me. I will always do the right things, even if others may not agree with it. I will miss you dad. So much.

We are raising money, for him. To make sure, he gets the send off he deserves. This was so sudden. We had no time to prepare. He did not have Life Insurance unfortunately. We did not think he needed it right now! We were wrong! He was only 48! This is not supposed to happen! I cannot wrap my head around sitting here doing this. Why I am doing this. I am only 22 Years old. I shouldn't be doing this, for my 48 year old dad!

He was cremated two nights ago.. All of the bill has to be paid, up front, before they will let me have my dad. I do not have all of the money. I would greatly appreciate anything you can spare. Even if it is to just simply share this GoFundMe. Anything at all will help us so much. I would like to have him back home with me, as soon as I can. Knowing he is there, in that place, alone, is crushing.

I am his son, so I will be dealing with everything related to him. It is only right that I do it. He would do the same, for me.

I want to thank everyone who can donate, or even share this. I appreciate you, more than you will ever know!

"Holy Shit what a ride, Dad. Holy Shit, what a ride!"

Fundraiser.