I received an alarming phone call last night and still as I sit here typing this I am still in shock. I know death is inevitable but it always saddens me to see young people in their prime leave the world and pass on so abruptly. You never see it coming. We figure we’re young we have our whole lives ahead of us but the truth is each day we are to live it as our last. Appreciate the beauties of life and not dwell on the petty little things, because tomorrow is never promised.

Joshua Sajous has always been known for being athletic, talented, energetic and full of life. He attended Morrisville State College and as a former Morrisville State College student myself, I remember him performing at all the talent shows doing what he loved best which was dancing, laughing and enjoying the love and support he had all around him. But today is a very sad day.

Sunday, June 17, Joshua Sajous died trying to recover an inflatable raft that had floated away. Josh was a certified lifeguard in New York City who was training to be a helicopter pilot at Windsor. The Weld county coroner ruled the incident an accidental drowning.

Joshua had been certified as a lifeguard for 4 years, but investigators believe he suffered from exhaustion as he swam out to retrieve the inflatable raft.

“Joshua had an amazing heart, he was beloved by his family and friends as a very generous and courteous person,” his older brother, David Jones, wrote in an email on Monday.

Captain Todd Vess stated even the best swimmers get tired sometimes..

“It doesn’t matter,” Vess said, adding that Sajous swam pretty far out, in some intense heat. “You can be in great shape, some of the greatest swimmers just get tired. He was probably a good swimmer, but so many things could happen in the middle of a lake.”

Joshua was on a larger raft with his brother, niece, 5 and nephew, 3 when he spotted the inflated raft and dove in after it.

“During the swim, he yelled for help,” according to Windsor police Chief John Michaels. “His brother jumped into the water to assist him, and (Sajous) went under.”

His brother, Jones made a statement about the incident stating that his focus were on the children and didn’t notice he him until he was yelling “help!” about 100 yards away. A neighboring canoe went out to retrieve him but sadly he was nowhere to be found. This is such an unfortunate incident and the reality is too big of a pill to swallow.

Yesterday he was here full of energy and full of life and today he’s gone. Today many mourn the loss of a friend, a cousin, an uncle, a son, a brother. But we will still keep him alive as we remember the energy he exuded on stage as he shared his passion and his big heart with many. We at Newspitter say RIP Joshua Sajous have a safe trip to the better place. You will always be remembered.