Joshua Nathaniel Briggs Wordell passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 27, at his home in Chatham. Josh was born on January 15, 1977. He was 43 years old. He was the beloved son of Nathaniel and Joy Wordell. He leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whom he adored! He felt especially close to his Uncle Jon Wordell, who predeceased him in 2019, his Aunt Toni Wordell of South Chatham, his Uncle Jeff and Aunt Tracy Hackling of Milton, Ga. and his Aunt Pauline Gatzounas of Chicopee. He also had a very special bond and fondness for the cousins he grew up with in South Chatham: Leslie Wordell McGuire of East Falmouth, Mark Wordell of Franklin, N.C., Jonathan Wordell, who predeceased him in 2015, Laurie Wordell Wadsworth of Falls Village, Conn., Derek Wordell of South Chatham and Kimberly Wordell Robbins of South Chatham.
He attended Trinity Christian Academy in Barnstable, the Chatham school system, The Greenwood School in Putney, Vt., The Winchendon School in Winchendon and graduated from Provincetown High School in 1996. Josh attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I., majoring in the field of Culinary Arts.
Josh enjoyed working in the hospitality industry. Over the years, he worked at the Sea in the Rough, Cape Fish and Lobster, Stop and Shop, Mid Cape Home Center, Marley’s Restaurant and Chatharbor Gifts and Pottery. He, also, thoroughly loved cooking, gardening and landscaping!
He was very proud of his English and Scottish heritage. He was a descendant of George Soule, who came to America on the Mayflower in 1620. Josh had the great opportunity to travel to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales with his Grandma Wordell. They bought the Hume Tartan together in Edinburgh and had the material made into a beautiful kilt for both Josh and his Dad. They both proudly wore their kilts to the Scottish Highland Games in New Hampshire. Josh also wore his kilt at Scottish dancing competitions in his youth.
Music was always a big part of his life! He loved singing and playing his beloved violin and lately, the harmonica. He liked many different genres of music which could range from classical to rock. His favorite artists were the Grateful Dead and Johnny Cash.
Josh was a sentimental soul and cherished many items he collected throughout his life… new and old tools, rocks, crystals, old bottles and other numerous and unique antiques. He also had a great love for animals. He was always bringing home a stray or injured animal… even opossums. He was caught bathing a baby opossum in his bathtub when he was 10 years old! He thought it just needed some tender loving care! He would cry and worry about them if he couldn’t protect them and help them recover from their injuries. He had a very special bond with his rat, Nicodemus, and his two precious cats named Victor and Max, who both lived to be 20 years old.
He was an avid reader and enjoyed learning and discussing new concepts and ideas. He was a faithful follower of PBS and the History Channel, and a favorite radio station called “Coast to Coast.”
We will all miss him dearly, particularly his parents, who LOVED him with ALL their being and were with him every step of the way in his life!!! Josh’s struggles in life were long and deep with bipolar depression, anxiety and migraines. We pray that he has finally found the PERFECT PEACE in the arms of his LORD JESUS!!! REST IN PEACE OUR BEAUTIFUL BOY!!!
If your heart so leads, please donate, in Josh’s memory, to the AWESOME people at the Chatham Police Association, 249 George Ryder Road Chatham, MA 02633 or Chatham Fire & Rescue Association, P.O. BOX 751 Chatham, MA 02633. They have been so SUPPORTIVE of Josh over the years and we as a family, have truly appreciated what they have done and continue to do for OUR community!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL for being there for us!!!
Josh’s burial will be private. A celebration of his life will be at a later date.
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