Joel was born in Plattsburgh, NY and lived his first 18 years in Mooers (2 years) and Clayton, NY. He graduated from then Clayton Central School in 1960, where his father was Principal for 17 years. After graduation from Syracuse University in 1964, he began teaching tenth grade English that year at Camillus Central School. He was married to Carol Ticknor in 1965, and in 1966 he left the teaching profession to become an insurance adjuster with the Insurance Company of North America. In 1966 he enlisted in the Army Reserve, and was honorably discharged as a Specialist Five...more
