Joshua Daniel (Howard) Borgh

*** The family invites everyone to wear their favorite Super Man attire to the visitation on Sunday evening in Josh’s honor ***

When Joshua Daniel (Howard) Borgh was born, doctors told his mother, Celeste, that two facts were certain: Her son would not live much beyond his second birthday and even if he did, he would never contribute anything to society.

Josh proved them wrong on both counts.

He died August 10, 2021, in Duluth, MN, at age 43 after a lifetime of bringing joy to his large circle of family and friends and enriching their lives in immeasurable ways. His family was at his side when he slipped away just before dawn.

Josh was born with severe developmental disabilities and suffered throughout his life from intractable epilepsy and other medical issues:

He couldn’t speak, but with his red hair and deep dimples, he was able to communicate through facial expressions.  When he was happy, he giggled a deep giggle that expressed his unbridled joy.

Josh taught others that there was joy in small things — joy that he experienced when someone stroked his beard, when he heard a baby cry, when he got a pedicure. His family made him happiest. He was delighted to be an uncle. Even in his final days, he perked up when he heard his nephew Luca playing nearby. And he seemed to chuckle when he overheard a discussion about his nephew Danny playing poker.

Throughout his life, Josh taught and inspired the people around him.

A proud member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, he always lived up to his name “Manidoo Gwiiwizens” — Spirit Boy. And he spent his life teaching his people about medicine.

His mother was still a teenager when he was born. But she quickly became an expert in tending to his many medical needs. Those experiences led her to become a licensed practical nurse and then a registered nurse.

Josh taught his then-timid mother to advocate — forcefully— for him. She took on a school district that sometimes didn’t seem to want to provide all the services her son deserved. Later, she went to battle to secure him a place in a warm and loving group home.

Josh also influenced the lives of his sisters. Liz’s experiences helping her mother care for Josh also led her to become a registered nurse. Jenny learned from her mother how to advocate effectively and take on complex systems to secure help for Josh. That experience led her to study public policy and administration.

Josh worked hard to achieve his goals to the fullest. His first school was The Achievement Center in Superior, WI, where he became part of a group of young children who stayed together as they grew up. Josh later attended Cooper Weisberg school and eventually East Junior High. Josh completed high school at age 18. He then attended the Challenge Center day program for many years.

Like many young people, Josh moved out of his family’s home at the age of 18. He lived first at Colonial Nursing Home. He was roommates with Michael Carroll, one of his lifelong friends. Living away from home expanded his horizons. He discovered, for example, that he loved to eat seafood, something his mother never cooked.

Josh later moved to a different group home where he had his own room. He was thrilled when another lifelong friend, Stevie Aiken, moved into the room next door.

Three years ago, Josh moved in with his parents, Celeste and Steve, as they searched for a new group home for Josh. The three months he spent with his parents further deepened their relationship. It was a difficult time but very fulfilling for Josh’s family as they got to see the light come back into his eyes.

Josh moved into the Peace of Mind group home in Duluth in 2018. There he made a new group of friends. The entire staff at Peace of Mind, from caregivers to administrators, took loving care of Josh and became family.

Josh was surrounded by the love of his family when he passed from this world to the next — a world where he will no longer be tormented by illness or bound by the physical limitations of his body.

Josh is survived by his parents, Celeste and Steve Ekberg; his sisters, Liz Ralston, her husband Deej, and Jenny Borgh; brother, Steve Ekberg Jr., and nephews, Danny and Luca Ralston and Joseph, Vincent and Isabella Ekberg.

Josh is also survived by his numerous aunts and uncles including: Jason Howard, Mary Howard, Sue (Brooks) Midbrod, Joe (Barbie) Howard, Jenny Howard, Dayne Rae Borgh, Jim and Rita Borgh, Deborah Glazer, Anita Stone, Kurt Stone, Duane and Joan Borgh, Eileen Borgh, Marc (Alisa) Ekberg, Dan Ekberg, and Mike Ekberg, Lloyd and Sue Borgh, Ardis Borgh Hafdahl and Audrey Ferrando. He is also survived by many beloved cousins as well as by Keith and Patricia Borgh.

Waiting to greet Josh in Heaven are his stepfather Loren Nelson, his loving grandparents, Jason and Elaine Howard, George and Elizabeth Borgh, and great-grandma Blanche Corbine. His uncles Ted and Gene Borgh are welcoming him with hearty laughter.

Josh’s lifelong friends Jason Bergren, Jacob Dumke, Michael Carroll and Stevie Aiken are ready to introduce him to the joy of life without physical limits — a life that he never experienced during his 43 years in this world but one his family is sure awaits him in the next.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Sunday, August 15, 2021, at the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior, with a brief prayer service to be offered at 6:30 PM by Gary Quaderer. The visitation will continue at 10:00 AM, Monday, August 16, 2021, at Cathedral of Christ the King

Catholic Church, 1111 Belknap Street, Superior, and will continue until the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci as celebrant. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Superior.

To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.downs-lesage.com .