'He was always about sunshine': New picture book tells the life story of Joey Moss
A new picture book for children by a local author tells the life story of beloved Edmontonian Joey Moss.
Good Morning, Sunshine! The Joey Moss Story is now available at bookstores.
“It is the story of Joey, and it’s not just the story of Joey involved in the Oilers, it’s the story of Joey’s life,” author Lorna Schultz Nicholson told CTV News Edmonton.
Schultz Nicholson, the wife of Oilers chairman Bob Nicholson, spoke with Moss’s family as well as former and current members of the Oilers to get a full picture of his life.
As a child, Moss performed with his siblings in the family band.
“I think that was very helpful in the cycle of giving Joey that love of entertaining and that love of being able to talk to people and be comfortable around others,” Schultz Nicholson said.
And he loved to make people smile.
“It came up in so many articles and with listening to the players talk, one thing he would always say is, ‘Good morning, sunshine.’ I think that’s a big essence of the story. He was always about sunshine, making people feel better and making people smile.”
She also wanted to send a message to children with Down syndrome.
“The goal was to show people that those who are born with Down syndrome can be active in their communities, can be positive human beings, and can do something,” she said. “Joey worked for the Oilers for 30 something years, and he did a really, really good job. And he took pride in what he did, and I think it’s really important that we recognize that.”
And she hopes through the book, Moss’s legacy will live on through the next generation.
“A hard covered book can sit on a shelf at a library or a school and kids can read it 10 years from now, and they can understand about who Joey was, and they can see the value of what he gave.”
The book is being released this week, the same week Moss would have turned 59.
Moss died Oct. 26, 2020 at the age of 57.
The book can be purchased at major bookstores. A teaching guide is also available on the publisher’s website.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.