Joshua David Wolak

September  26th, 1984 January  1st, 2025
San Diego, CA
Joshua David Wolak

"I may not force you to follow,
But I’m on my way —
I will carry the flame."
                              -Genuine Joy

Obituary

Joshua David Wolak was born September 26, 1984 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He graduated with Honors from De la Salle High School in 2002 and attended Belmont University in Nashville shortly thereafter. He graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2006 before grabbing his guitar to make an adventure out of the world.

Josh wrote music that came from his incredibly talented, brilliant, musical brain. He was fluent in the trombone, guitar, mandolin, piano, and harmonica. He sang beautifully and earnestly, with a twang of wit and humor. From Angus Whyte and the Irish Rednecks to Humming House, Hickory Slims, and Genuine Joy, Josh’s musical career spanned over 15 years. Humming House took Josh’s musical journey the farthest with 5 albums and over 500 shows spread across the U.S., the Caribbean, and even a tour in Central Asia as Music Ambassadors for the Department of State. In Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, he was a rockstar.

Josh filled the gaps between music tours by crafting thrilling experiences with Ravenchase Adventures. Capturing imaginations with ribbon-wrapped scrolls and invisible ink, his adventure race events crossed paths with Eva Longoria, Roselyn Sanchez, Drew Brees, the San Antonio Spurs, the Indianapolis Colts, and countless code-crackers and puzzle-solvers charmed by Josh’s boundlessly creative spirit.

On September 27, 2019, Josh was diagnosed with glioblastoma and given a prognosis of 12-18 months. He defied these odds and we were blessed with another 5 years, 3 months, and 3 days with him. He endured 4 brain surgeries, sinus surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Throughout it all, he shined.

Josh is remembered by his innumerable friends, his proud aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his parents David and Sharon Wolak who are a beacon and a home to their many loved ones. He loved kicking butt on the pickleball court and whooping his parents at board games—their games of Carcassonne were particularly fierce.

He was optimistic and fearless.
He radiated pure joy.

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Things Josh Loved


Musical Instruments
Breedlove Mandolin
Piano 
Acoustic guitar
Nord Keyboard
Strange and Idiosyncratic Songwriters 
Michael Hurley
The Holy Modal Rounders
Jeffrey Frederick ("Spiders in the Moonlight")
Tom Waits (“On The Nickel”)
Roger Miller (Robin Hood soundtrack)
Randy Newman
Fleetwood Mac (“Tusk”)
Board Games / Video Games
Quelf
Cards Against Humanity
CATAN
Codenames
Overwatch
Halo
Rockband
Little Big Planet
More Things
Buc-ees!
Cute lil stuffed animals "buddies" (bears etc.)
Linen pants
Being squishes
Sniffing wine
Ironman/comic books
Bright color palettes
Pillow forts
Cigars
Pickleball
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