There is a lot to be said for consistency and for familiarity. Mike Joslyn may be the personification of both traits. Even his Montpelier High School classmates recognized this at his 50th reunion by voting him “Least Changed.”
Although he was born and grew up in Montpelier, much time was spent coming to Waitsfield to see the Joslin family – adding that there were “so many of them.” One aunt and uncle had 13 children, and it is understandable that the Joslin name is well known in the community. He owns an album rich in family history that shows five generations of his grandfather (shown as a child) to his great, his great, great, his great, great, great and, yes his great, great, great, great seated in one photo. He is happy and proud to be a Joslyn even if it is spelled with a ‘y.’
SPELLING SCHISM
Mike is not exactly sure or prefers not to say how the spelling schism happened – when one relative made the decision to change their family spelling from Joslin to Joslyn. He easily puts that aside believing they are one family, and he derives pleasure that his daughter Sarah and son Cameron both reside and work locally in proximity to the Joslin Memorial Library, Joslin Hill Road and the Joslyn Round Barn.
Now living in Middlesex, he has spent nearly 40 years working in The Valley and is well known and recognized for his flooring craft. It is not uncommon for him to come to a job site and tell the owner that he had installed the flooring being replaced some 25 years ago, what is under it, and quite possibly his suggestion for the best replacement.
John Wilson, an owner of Bisbee’s, finds it unthinkable to imagine Mike retiring. He marvels at what great shape he is in having wrestled with carpeting for so many years as well as laying tile and stated, “We are so lucky he does so much work for us.”
After deciding college wasn’t for him, other than the two years he spent hitch-hiking across the country where he did everything including selling encyclopedias to get by, Vermont has been his home. Upon his return, his dad told him he had to settle down. Just at that time, a friend called to say he was moving to Burlington and asked Mike to share an apartment. In the Burlington Employment Office, Mike met a man who was there to find help for his growing flooring business and Mike shared he was “kinda looking for a job.”
The man said he liked Mike right away and would hire him but Mike had to continue with the employment process, which he did. He secured the job and loved the people he met through the serendipitous meeting and was hired to help with all the flooring required for the Lake Placid Olympics in 1980. Mike returned to Burlington for weekends and hung out and mingled with the crowds in the early days of Ben & Jerry’s and did side jobs including the ones he did for the then mayor of Burlington, Bernie Sanders. He also found himself working for another customer he thought looked familiar only to find out it was Mary Tyler Moore.
WENT ON HIS OWN
After several years in Burlington, he went out on his own and had a crew that did a great deal of work for Bisbee’s in Waterbury and Waitsfield. They worked on jobs in schools, the State House and even jails. All his experiences enabled him to see new things and forced him to examine his opinions and make adjustments. He did work for four governors and, with Governor and Mrs. Snelling, enjoyed hanging out at their home. He said it was always a great feeling to have his work respected and appreciated. Christopher Reeves and his wife were among those he worked for, and he described as quality people who even had a chef who would feed his crew. Reeves was involved in the development of the Vermont Adaptive program at Sugarbush after his life-altering accident. Cassandra Misitano, showroom sales associate with Bisbee’s Home Center, describes Mike not only as a wonderful and experienced craftsman, but also as a hard-working and good guy. “He cares about the work, is so knowledgeable and wants the best for the customer,” she stated. “Everyone knows and loves him,” she added.
It is more than likely Mike’s work ethic was inspired by his late father Morris. He was a veteran, and Mike recalls him having three jobs to take care of his five children. He was an insurance salesman, sold Fuller Brush and spent evenings as a bartender. Mike also has great fondness and feels fortunate to have his mother Sandra Tassie, age 91, residing on her own in Montpelier. He grins saying she is spending her time stewing over the news and shared a photo of her holding her daily glass of wine celebrating the day and wearing her Bernie t-shirt.
Mike is very proud of both sides of his family – the work ethic he saw in his dad and the fact his mother is from a Canadian stone cutter’s family and instilled in him a love for Canadians and Prince Edward Island in particular. It remains his favorite place to wind down and enjoy life. He stated he tries to cherish all he has. Included in his gratitude is a step-daughter, Melany Morris, who prefers to be called his daughter and a grandchild, Jameson.
VOLUNTEERING
Mike can always find time to help a neighbor in need and he has spent many hours volunteering to restore places he loves after the Montpelier floods. He admits to being a lifelong Red Sox fan and laments that they are already in the cellar!
It is clear that Mike likes people, and it is reciprocated. He can’t go far without being recognized and admits that he knows almost everybody. He loves this and his positive attitude, happiness and enthusiasm continually spill over – just as his classmates recognized. All who interact with him on or off the job are the better for it!
