Joel Blackburde

Joel Blackburde was born on May 24, 1992 to Lisa Blackburde and Ruben Cabrera in Colorado. Joel went to be with our Savior on February 3, 2024, at Denver Health Medical Center. He is survived by his mother Lisa Blackburde Spouse (Michael) father Ruben Cabrera Spouse (Diana), siblings: Desirae, Ruben and Daniel nieces: Anastasia, Destiny and Olivia nephews: Jakob, Angelo, Gabriel, Mateo and Rafael aunts: Auntie Rita, Rebecca, and Raquel and uncles: Roberto grandparents: Helen Ornelas and spouse (Manuel) great cousins: Amariyah and Ezekiel Joel worked at Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar in Greenwood Village and 240 Union Restaurant, alongside his father Ruben. Joel loved to roller skate! He ruled the floor with his impressive moves and made sure everyone could see his talent. He also loved Lakeside, Chuck E. Cheese, Eliches and Karaoke. From the time Joel was able to walk and talk he was what we call the lyric police. Please do not mess up one word in a song around him or you will be corrected, and the music will instantly stop playing. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and most of all his sister Desirae. In celebrating the incredible life of Joel, I am grateful for the memories we all shared with him during his 31 years of life. His caring and outgoing spirit, forever young at heart, left a permanent mark on each of us. His ability to remember everyone's birthday, as he made those special midnight phone calls to wish each of us a Happy Birthday, displayed his thoughtfulness. You never failed to miss a birthday and always celebrated us like it was your own. You were always on time with everything no matter if it was to tell us Happy Birthday or calling all of the radio stations in Denver just to win tickets to every concert possible. You had the magic touch and the right answers to it all. Our adventures to Mr. Long’s were filled with laughter with our hot Cheetos, pickles, Mexican candy, rice crispy treats, and beef jerky. As soon as we bought our snacks you would walk right into the house and sit three inches from the TV. Unfazed by voices telling you about being too close, you were content just as long as you had your big bag of hot Cheetos and your Pepsi. There was never a dull moment with you. If you got bored we could always find you climbing the walls on Grove street, climbing the tree outside, playing blind man rise, playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64, or sometimes even picking rhubarbs in the neighbor's yard. Every moment with you was a special moment. Your love for an adventure included skating backwards, and creating lasting memories at Lakeside, Elitches, and Fat City. I can’t count how many times you rode the tower of doom at elitches because you couldn’t stand waiting in the long lines, so you always chose the single rider line. Karaoke was your thing. We memorized every Britney Spears and Selena song possible. From doing the washer machine to saying “oops I did it again,” we were always finding ourselves in trouble. We shared every moment together my wolf, because everyone knew me and you were inseparable from sunrise to sundown, 365 days a year. Our adventures roaming the west side were epic, from sledding down the hills at Paco Sanchez park to strolling through the park for our summer camp, Sky's the Limit. If we weren’t at the park we could always find you walking up to peep’s house to ask for $5. You never hesitated to reach out for a dollar or two, whether it was through a text, Cash App, or a phone call. Moments of boredom turned into joyous chaos, screaming "Michael Myers is after us," only to find out it was Leonard, the neighbor on the corner. Through all of the laughter and countless bottles of Tabasco sauce and soap because we couldn’t shut our mouths. We will deeply miss you here. I take comfort in knowing you are in a better place. Until we meet again, my wolf, save a spot for us in heaven