The Osseo Lions Club lost another long-time and valuable community member yesterday when Lion Joel Princeton unexpectedly passed away.
Lion Joel Princeton was a member of the Osseo Lions for the past 45 years and had a long family history when it came to our club as his father was a Charter Member of the Osseo Lions when we started in 1944. Although getting any type of quality photo proof of his deep involvement, there was never any doubt– by a single member of this club– that Lion Joel was a “Lion’s Lion”.
He was an active Lion from the very beginning; serving to the end.
- — Joined the Osseo Lions in 1976
- — Served as President of the Club in 1995
- — Served the District (5M5) as its Secretary in 2002
- — Received the Helen Keller Award for his work in the area of sight
- — Organized the Lions Roar for several years
- — Manage the Cash Office during the Roar for a few years
- — Served the club in the area of membership
- — Recently served the club with his work on the Gambling Board
- — Lion Joel had 36 years of Perfect Attendance
Lion Joel not only served the community through the Lions — he was also considered a pillar of the community of Osseo for many years as a respected businessman.
He took over Princeton’s Tavern and Princeton’s Liquors when his father retired, and according to his son-in-law, there was seldom a day you wouldn’t find Joel in his office at Princeton’s Liquor in Maple Grove.
Because of the strong ties, he forged with the people and businesses of our Osseo community and surrounding communities, Lion Joel often served as a liaison to local businesses and not only encouraged those relationships but urged businesses to be philanthropically involved.
He often did this by leading by example.
In fact, Lion Joel was one of the Lions Roar’s strongest Sponsors for many years, and often personally donated and served at other events like our annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast.
Because of his contributions to our club and community, Lion Joel received the Melvin Jones Fellowship in recent years. This is a top honor that was rightfully bestowed upon our Lion’s Lion.
The loss and sorrow we feel for Lion Joel’s family are deeply echoed by our club, the communities he served, and the lives he touched. That loss will be felt for generations ahead of us.