"He wrote from the human side, with a distinctive style, with his heart on his sleeve in many instances."

— Gordie Howe, former Red Wings great

"When we opened our third Little Caesars store, it was in Joe's neighborhood and he and his wife were steady customers. He was a big-time writer, but he loved all sports and was very versatile. He made the time to cover everything from our Little Caesars hockey leagues and slow pitch softball team in the '70's to the Red Wings and Tigers of today."

— Mike Ilitch, owner of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and Little Caesars Pizza

"I never felt that he was interviewing me, but rather it was always a conversation between two friends ... Personally, I will miss Joe as a writer and as a friend."

— Scotty Bowman, former Red Wings Hall of Fame coach