My name is Lisa and this is a tribute to our much loved Son Joshua Fisk.
Josh was born on 23/01/2003 and tragically took his own life on 25/01/2024 2 days after his 21st birthday. He has 2 younger Siblings Scarlett and James.
While Josh's death has absolutely devastated everybody who knew and loved him, we will not let it define who he was.
Josh supported Scarlett through anxious situations encouraging her to be strong. in 2023 we went to Disneyland Paris for my birthday and Scarlett was struggling with the large crowd, Josh took her hand told her not to let go of him and managed to make a pathway through the crowd to get her to the other side. Giving her that support during a challenging situation just showed how protective he was of her and how he would get her through the toughest of times. This is something she holds closely to her heart. giving her the strength and courage and being that pilar of support has stayed with her from the day he left this world.
Josh would play games online, shoot targets and go fishing with James. Brotherly love shone through with them both. Josh would help us out and watch over James if we were at work and James was at home, being the mischievous big brother he would always get James to do silly things and of course James would follow them through. One of the last times they spent together Josh said to James that he wanted to make a chilli oil, so they went to the shop to buy the ingredients. Needless to say this chilli oil was one of the most disgusting things Josh had ever made, and James often recalls how Josh tried to call me at work as he was gagging down the phone (it was that bad) and yes we still have it for the memories and every now and again we dare each other to try it. Josh is James's idol and he looks up to him to this day. He will never forget all the fun they had together (even if Josh did get James to try a maggot once when they were fishing) in the video you hear Josh say " there he is going through his pick and mix" then encourages James to pick one out and put it in his mouth. Immediately James spits it out and all you hear is Josh laughing. Those are the memories that we laugh at and cherish. James misses him so deeply their bond unbreakable
Josh was 6ft tall and walked with a confidence that made us proud, he was out going and would make friends with everyone he spoke to.
He was the kindest soul, full of empathy and compassion, he touched so many lives without even realising it. The first thing he would say is "Hi how are you?” when he saw someone he knew. He would always express his concerns about others. He would stop to speak to people if he felt they were lonely, he would offer to carry shopping bags if he saw someone struggling, that is just the type of person he was so loving, giving and generous. Josh was always flattered when he received compliments (especially from girls )but there was never any arrogance.
Josh had an extreme passion for computer tech, he built gaming pc's from scratch buying all the parts and spending his time putting them together. He loved fishing with his Dad (Jamie) and little brother James. Josh was extremely talented and it seemed that no matter what he turned his hand to he was good at it.
Josh had a very keen eye and had an incredible aim with a gun almost never missing the target. When we went on holiday to Florida we took him to a shooting range where he got to choose 3 different machine guns and he absolutely loved it! Jamie also took Josh clay pigeon shooting for his 20th birthday, and he absolutely loved it! he hardly missed a target and the gentleman who was instructing him couldn't believe it was his first time.
In May 2019 Josh took his CBT course to ride his moped that he got that year for his 16th birthday. He loved the freedom of being on the road meeting up with his mates and just living his best life.
During his school life not only was he intelligent but he had a very enthusiastic passion for sports. He played on the school football team as well as Skye Fc outside of school and was a great goal keeper. He also enjoyed playing Rugby and running. He was extremely fast with those long legs of his! He would often recall to me with such humour a particular sports day when he was in a running race and his trainer started to come off his foot. Instead of stopping to sort it out he just kicked it off his foot and carried on running with one trainer, ultimately winning the race. He had a very competitive nature which so warming to see when he was so passionate about what he was achieving.
After leaving school in June 2019 he started the next day working at Aldeburgh Community Hospital as a member of the domestic’s team. That September he enrolled into college on to a Public Service's course. During his time at college he also took part in the National Citizen Service program and absolutely loved doing it. He gained his level 2 in Public Service achieving distinctions and merits for different aspects of the course in 2020 all while taking on extra shifts at the hospital to cover sickness or covering for people having to isolate due to the pandemic.
After the pandemic eased he then decided to try new things and he took a position in Danes Dry Cleaners where he worked with Donna and Sarah and adapted to the new role quickly and efficiently. He even decorated out the back room and done all the high dusting for them (given his height it was easier for him). Josh would then also take on shifts in the catering department at Aldeburgh Community Hospital. He had an incredible work ethic and he would always say to me "you are a product of your own environment" and I am so proud of his attitude to work and life in general. After working at the Dry cleaners for about 8 months he was then offered a permanent position at the hospital and he took the opportunity as he was keen to learn new cooking skills which he had developed a passion for (he made the best spaghetti Carbonara). He was always keen to take on extra shifts on top of his contracted hours. The patients adored him and if we were working together they always told me what a lovely young man he was. I was always proud to walk beside him and call him my son. I am so proud to say he is my son and that will never change.
Although work was important to Josh so were his Family and friends. Josh was hugely popular and had a wide circle of friends.
Cam, Henry, Seb, Ollie, Tom, Miguel, Seth. Jordan, Chas, Corey, Amy, Kaitlyn, Kimberley and Erin to name a few they all held a special place in Josh's huge heart.
He was extremely family oriented and loved seeing his Grandparents, Auntie's, Uncles and his little cousins Paddy and Cleo. He loved a good family get together and just generally being around us all.
As mother and son we were so lucky to have the pleasure of working together as well as living together, to go to staff Christmas or other work colleagues parties together. Although at times he found me embarrassing and would laugh at me and say "mum you're mental, but I do love you even if you are crazy!"
At times when we would disagree on something I would always say "its because I love you" he would always respond with "mum, you love me too much" I would always reply with " Josh I could never love you too much" and he would always smile.
That's the hardest part is that he spoke to me about everything including things that I didn't want nor need to know yet he couldn't tell me how he was really feeling. Behind the confident, compassionate empathetic demeanour he was struggling.
I suppose my message here is that you don't have to act sad to be unhappy, in fact its the complete opposite. Always check on your happy family and friends because those are the ones silently struggling.
You are so loved and missed beyond words Josh my handsome boy and your memory will always be kept alive as you are a "Legend on the Bench"