Joe Steckler (1934-2025)
“Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living.” ~ Albert Einstein
We are so thankful to everyone in Brevard who stands with us in Helping Seniors. We are so appreciative of Joe Steckler, our founder, and our President for many years, who fought tirelessly for the 50% over age 50 in our community. Look up Senior Advocate in the dictionary, and it seems likely you will find a picture of Joe!
Joe’s family has asked that those who wish to remember and honor Joe may do so by making a donation to Helping Seniors of Brevard County, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) charity. All funds received marked “In Memory of Joe” will be added to the Joseph L. Steckler Foundation, part of the Helping Seniors Foundation. Joe’s vision has been to create an Endowment, similar to that which he accomplished during his tenure at Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation so that future generations can benefit from the work we are all doing together.
To give – you may visit Donate at HelpingSeniorsofBrevard.org, or call us at (321) 473-7770, and/or send by mail to Helping Seniors, P.O. Box P.O. Box 372936, Satellite Beach, FL 32937
Joe Steckler spent his later life as the tireless champion for Seniors along the Space Coast of Florida. We lost him at age 91 in January 2025. Having bounced back from a major stroke at age 82 (he insisted on filming his recovery for TV in order to inspire others facing similar challenges), Joe led the Florida non-profit organization, Helping Seniors of Brevard, formed in 2011, to new levels of Community Service.
Joe is a familiar face and a long-term effective advocate for Seniors in Brevard County. He is known for establishing the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation, building its initial endowment, and, to this day, the Joe’s Club locations, named after him, are known as a positive and welcome resource to many families throughout the County. Joe also ran the first AmeriCorps Project Elderserve program in the state and trail-blazed the new Florida Project R.E.L.I.E.F. program. He established a $2 million endowment.
Not content to retire from his retirement from the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation, Joe organized Helping Seniors of Brevard in 2011 and has tirelessly and relentlessly worked to broaden his reach for good for ALL seniors in our area. If anything, Joe has accelerated the pace, as demonstrated by the growth of Helping Seniors’ efforts over the past nearly a decade and a half. Joe established the Helping Seniors Offices and the Senior Resource Center of Brevard, in Melbourne, Florida (which the Board renamed to Joe’s Senior Resource Center!) and he established the Senior Information Helpline that has handled more than 4,000 calls annually assisting Seniors and their families throughout Brevard County.
Joe, a long-time Senior Advocate and Media Friend to Seniors, also found time to host nearly 100 new Helping Seniors TV programs (airing daily on Space Coast Government TV, and available on all major Brevard Cable networks including Spectrum, AT&T U-Verse, and Comcast, and on demand at the Helping Seniors YouTube Channel); and he prepared and hosted the long-running weekly Helping Seniors Radio programs. He also established and developed the robust HelpingSeniorsofBrevard.org website full of resources for Seniors, initiated distribution of 8,000-12,000 copies of the monthly 12-page Helping Seniors Newsletter as a special center-section pull-out in Senior Scene Magazine; and penned hundreds of Senior help columns in nearly every major print publication in Brevard County – including Florida Today.
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, for many years, has continued his media work, served as a consultant to the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation and the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and was a member of the Brevard County Commission on Aging. Joe, and his wife Terry, enjoy living in Brevard County, Florida.
Some Quotes about Joe:
Ed Fleis (who served as Treasurer for Helping Seniors for many years): “I have had the pleasure of working with Joe at Helping Seniors since its inception. He is a very caring person and is happiest when he witnesses elderly seniors benefitting due to the organization’s efforts. Your vision has enabled a great many people to improve and enjoy their senior years. Thank you, Joe.”
Jennifer Barton (who served as Secretary for Helping Seniors for many years): “Joe isn’t afraid to jump in to help in any situation. [Some time back] residents of Trinity Towers were having a problem with busses dropping them off far from their normal shopping plaza, in the summer heat. Joe immediately made a few calls and brought attention to the problem in one of his weekly articles until it was resolved.”
Stephen K. Cusick (Captain USN (Retired), Board Member for Helping Seniors for many years): “Captain Joseph L. Steckler has been an inspiration to everyone who knows of his distinguished military record and tireless dedication to the cause of helping senior citizens. Joe’s life of service has been a personal inspiration to me. Indeed, his friendship will always be treasured by all who know him.”
Nancy Deardorff (Founding Board Member for Helping Seniors and Director of Development today): “Joe Steckler has spent his life in the service of others with no regard of what is in it for him, but rather, how can he make a positive difference in the lives of others. When many prepare to retire at age 65, Joe’s plan was to continue to serve others and he continues his mission today. Joe has taught me what a huge difference one person can make in the lives of others and in this world.”
Kerry Fink (Media Director from the inception of Helping Seniors and today Vice President/Executive Director): “Having served with Joe since he began this good work we call Helping Seniors of Brevard, I am fascinated by his relentless enthusiasm and willingness to roll up his sleeves for all things Seniors and serves as an excellent role model for all of us to aspire to do good for our community at every stage in our lives.”
Some of Joe’s Work:
Helping Seniors TV
“Focus on Seniors”
Episode #46 from March 2014
filmed at HealthSouth SeaPines
just a few months after Joe’s
recovery from a stroke at Age 82
and shows his dedication and spirit
to find solutions for Seniors.
Helping Seniors TV
“Focus on Seniors”
Helping Seniors – Episode 003
Guest: Nancy T Deardorff RN
(Gentiva Healthcare)
Guest: Lee N. Sheldon DMD
(Solid Bite Dental)
Published on Dec 18, 2012
From the very first Helping Seniors
Taping Session at TYG Media Studios
Honoring Joe:
Read Space Coast Daily Coverage
