Obituary of Joshua Seth Carter

Josh Carter, gotta say the first and last name together. Too many memories from watching Josh run up and down the street at 5am as a kid, to him being amazed about sleeping in the semi truck. Over 25 years I’ve call you my brother and best friend. Love you bro

Josh Carter was a light in my life. From our first meeting at Silver Moon on Lake Oconee to endless adventures through Milledgeville and later Atlanta. I remember so many nights, talking to the wee hours, about everything and nothing. His smile and infectious personality brought people together. We painted his apartment and sat on the floor watching indie movies and listened to music. We danced and sang, and made stupud mistakes that turned into epic stories. I thought we would have more adventures and the world feels a little dimmer, knowing I won't hear his laugh or see a smirk or gaze from him. I love you Josh, to end of space and time. Rest well.

In Memory of Josh I met Josh back in college in Milledgeville, Georgia, and from the very start, he had a way of making ordinary days feel extraordinary. I’ll never forget his love for Halloween—how he hosted the best parties. They weren’t the typical college keg parties. When you walked up, candles were glowing, wine was flowing, and everyone was dressed in their best costumes. Josh greeted every person at the door with compliments, warmth, and love. He created spaces where people felt seen, welcomed, and celebrated. We worked together at the Silver Moon in Eatonton, sharing the chaos and laughter that comes with restaurant life. Eventually, life pulled us in different directions, but Josh had a way of reappearing just when you least expected it. I’ll never forget walking through SOHO in Manhattan and hearing my name called. In that huge city, to see a familiar face was pure magic—and of course, it was Josh. We caught up on all the big life changes, the turns our paths had taken, and promised to stay connected. Through social media, I realized the world is smaller than we think. Josh was working in Manhattan and happened to be friends with one of the groomsmen from our wedding—my husband’s fraternity brother. It was one of those beautiful reminders of how lives weave together in unexpected ways. I am heartbroken to know he’s gone too soon. Josh brought light, laughter, and love into every room he entered. He will be deeply missed, but I am grateful for the memories and the joy of having known him.

Josh, you were a warm, wonderful light in this world. As a dear friend & support to one of my best friends in the entire world (Lucy), I felt like I knew you before l even met you. You made the trek from inner Sydney to suburban Five Dock without even knowing where you were going (“Four Docks”), but knowing you needed to be there. I knew how special you were when I met you that night (after already hearing how amazing you were via Lucy!). A few years later you took me (and my brother & my husband) out in NYC. We will never forget the experience - covert bars & bouncers in robes! And an epic night. A testament to your ability to make everyone feel welcome and loved. You’ll be missed forever. Fxxx

Josh, you are such a kind and loving person and a wonderful, selfless friend. You will be greatly missed and forever loved. My friend until we meet again Rest in paradise Y'all

I went to Ria’s this morning for breakfast, and as soon as we walked in the door, your presence took my breath away. Tears prickled my eyes, and tears threatened to run down my cheeks, as the server sat us at our table. I told Adam about how you and I would often eat there, many years ago, even though you thought the servers were always ‘pretentious pricks’. I remember perusing the aisles of Buddy’s, across from Videodrome, looking for wine, and buying a bottle of Michael David’s ‘Freakshow’ because we’d had never had it, the label was interesting, and we were two freakshows, trying to figure it out life in the big city. I remember your little apartment in midtown and that little green egg that you continued to drive, despite it being scraped, wrecked, and broken into over and over. I remember the way you would pull me in for a hug, while laughing and saying, ‘Jess’. You were the one who started calling me that, and it stuck, to this day. Our conversations, the laughter, the side-eye you would give, a smirk on your face. You were honest and real and fun. We ‘got’ each other, in a way that so few people in my life ever ‘get’ me. We were young and single and free, and we lived it UP, late-night. I was down for your chaos, your adventures, and the vibrancy you carried in your soul. When we met, in Milledgeville, you bagging groceries at Food Lion, something clicked, and I talked you into coming to work at Brewers, and there, our restaurant life together began. You were my first gay friend, and after you moved to Atlanta and started working with me at Ruth’s, you quickly became my best friend. When you moved to Australia, to start a new life, and I dropped you off at the airport, I was devastated. I remember riding inside of the elevator, crying, and a stranger trying to comfort me. All I could say was that my best friend moved across the world. I questioned why I wasnt going with you, when you’d begged me to go. I was almost convinced. But then, there was Adam. And life happened. You in NYC, us in Atlanta with a kid. But you always made time for us. You made the trek to Pigeon Forge for the wedding. You visited when you were in town, and I am forever thankful for our memories, Josh Carter. Rest easy, my love. I am forever thankful of all that you taught me and all of the love that you always showed. Thank you for normalizing saying ‘I love you’, long before we had the wisdom of age to do so. ?

I remember going for “just one drink” at the Criterion Hotel in the City after our first mid-week double shift together at Glass Restaurant at the Hilton in about 2008 ish?! You instantly felt like home. As you talked about your origins in Macon, Georgia and your soul sister Misty, we just clicked. Now, I know it was more than one drink, but by the end of that night I knew we’d be connected forever. I read someone else say Josh Carter – both names must be said together – and that resonates with me! The way you would say my name Loosey, Loose … I can still hear it. I loved you so much. You always seemed to just “be” there across distance and time. My Engagement Party, lunch with my daughter Soph as a baby/toddler at the Tilbury in Woolloomooloo with Georgie Leach and Kim Bickley – you guys would talk about wine whilst I’m pretty sure I was drinking Carlton Draught on tap! Misty joining my family for a Sinclair Family Funtime Lunch having never met but connected over time and space through you. Nights (and early mornings) with Jules and Wilson on Oxford St and in The Cross when it was still a late-night playground. Supporting Jules in his play Release of Tension – involving a lot of naked men, as I recall ??. Sending one of the free postcards from a venue to “congratulate” you on your (heterosexual!) marriage for visa records. And of course, you crashing (but definitely not pissing ?) on my couch many times. Mid-week dirty Iguana Bar nights, Sneaky Sundays at Hugo’s, late nights/early mornings at Club 77 and LadyLux. Trekking to my friend’s Jimmy and Flis’ place in the ‘Burbs of Five Dock at stupid o’clock. Evenings at The East Sydney Hotel. You took such great care of my folks in New York – taking them to Thanksgiving Dinner in Harlem, out to the theatre, and making them your carefully crafted guide to the best restaurants and bars in NYC. That guide ended up spreading far and wide in Sydney, shared with any and all headed your way. You also looked out for my brother Hugh, who we called Hollywood, taking him in when he chased some girl to NY and suddenly had nowhere to stay. And of course, my close friends Jimmy and Flis, who caught up with you when they were visiting after meeting you through me in Australia. I was meant to go to New York for my 40th, but life got in the way and I put it off until my 50th – always believing you would be there. It is such a reminder not to take things for granted. Even though I never made it over, you took care of anyone connected to me like family, without question. I hope I do make it there with my friend Flis, and we will be raising a glass to you, Josh Carter. You really impacted and touched so many lives. I think this is so true and beautiful: “Joshua lived a life full of adventure, curiosity, and connection.” Those words honour you so well. Thank you for everything, my beautiful friend. ?? Thank you to Misty for honouring you with such love, even in her own deep grief, and for making it possible to share these memories. I so wish I could have teleported myself there from Sydney, Australia for even one day.