REMEMBERING JOE MCGIVNEY

You don't ever have to live in Rockaway to be a local.  No one epitomized that more than the legendary Joe McGivney, who passed away on April 28, 2021 after a battle with cancer. 

              Joe was a staple in the Rockaway experience whether it was in sports, music, poker or partying.  An original player in the Rockaway Beach Volleyball League dating back to its inception in 1986, Joe became a major contributor to the growth of the league as a committee member for decades.  He was also president of the rules committee.

              Joe could also be seen rocking the crowd, playing music at various venues in Rockaway with his band, 'Gearth, Wind and Fireman'.  Joe was ahead of the curve when it came to Texas Hold Em.  Long before it became the popular game that it is now, Joe was hosting a yearly and weekly game way back in 1983.  He introduced it to Rockaway back in the early 2000s. 

              Joe loved all sports, played football, basketball, volleyball, and softball throughout the years.  He loved coaching high school volleyball, and coached Brooklyn College Women's Volleyball.  He was a loving family man, married to Linda (Bonade) for 40 years.  He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.  Which is many.  Rest in Peace.