Joseph "Joey" Hedberg

Joseph “Joey” Hedberg, a contagious and fun-loving man, was a beloved father, son, brother, and friend. On June 13th, 1968, he entered this world as the fourth generation of a proud lineage from Bountiful, Utah. He was the eldest of four children, his siblings Jared Hedberg, Jake Hedberg, and Jordan Hansen. Joey is survived by four out of his five children, as well as his three darling grandchildren – all of whom he lovingly referred to as “the best of me”. 

He is also survived by his adoring parents, Mickell Fadel-Forsyth, Mo Forsyth, Lawrence Hedberg, and Layla Hedberg, as well as a cherished extended family of lifelong friends. He also leaves behind his two loyal bird dogs, who were always by his side.

Lovingly known as Joey, Dad, Joe-Joe, Pops, Papa Joe, “old man”, and occasionally “the comeback kid”, Joey held a strong faith in God throughout his entire life – as well as a contagious sense of humor that, if we’re being honest, walked a fine line between brilliant and borderline-sadistic.

Joey also had a passion for sports, nature, and adventure. After all, he was a Hedberg. And what do Hedbergs do? They hunt, fish, and play ball. Some also described him as an opportunistic predator; for, as we all know and lovingly remember, you'd inevitably fall victim to one of his infamous pranks if you let your guard down. Sure, his sense of humor and exuberant personality could be a lot to handle at times; a little Hedberg goes a long way... But no matter what, his warm smile and infectious laughter never failed to light up each and every room he entered.

No matter what Joey did, he did it damn well (unless it was dancing). After graduating highschool, he proudly joined the marine corps at the age of 19, where he was meritoriously promoted at boot camp and activated to full-time status during the Desert Storm War. He received veteran war status when he was discharged. After this, he successfully served in an LDS mission in Florida. Shortly after his LDS mission, Joey also married his first wife, Bronwyn Wallace, who gave him his first two obnoxious little monsters, Greyden and Gage Hedberg, who will always see him as their hero.

In 1993, Joey graduated 2nd in the Arizona State police academy as vice president, where he was promptly promoted to detective status. Eventually, in 1996 Joey went on to become a resourceful entrepreneur and remarkably successful real estate agent, starting his first successful company with his brother, Jared, in 1998.

In the year 2000, Joey married his second wife, Annie Bertoch, who gave him three beautiful and beloved daughters, Cassidy, Kailee, and Savannah. His three daughters held the key to his heart and he adored them above all else. 

Joey also had some, um… other marriages later on. But we forgive him for those, and, given the circumstances, we won't hold them against him. Everyone gets a couple of mulligans.

Joey's sparkling charisma, warm character, brilliance, humor, resilience, affinity for pranks, talent for storytelling, and boundless love for his friends and family will never be forgotten. Nor will his tendency for buying sugar-free jello packets by the shopping cart load, his penchant for imaginative midnight snacks, or his lack of ability to pull off cowboy boots.

To know Joey was to love him. And for those of us who loved him, although he will be profoundly missed, his impression will last forever. He may be gone now, but he would want us to remember all the good times. After all, the single most important thing in his life was bringing joy to others. Now, Joey holds his sweet daughter, Kailee, in heaven.

Family and friends are invited to a service to celebrate Joey’s life this Saturday, February 17th, 2024, at 11AM at La Cappella at Canterbury (address 197 500 South, Bountiful, UT, 84010). Casual attire is encouraged, lunch will be provided, and we encourage you to bring your best and favorite memories and stories of Joey to honor his tremendous spirit.