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A different kind of plunge

January 4, 2023 by Staff Writer

West Island held its own annual polar plunge on New Year’s Day, but this year included a surprise plunge of another sort. Mike and Kelly Joseph surprised friends and family by getting married on the Causeway Road beach just before the plunge took place.

Only a handful of people knew besides the couple. Even their parents were not privy to the secret. Mike’s uncle Ralph Joseph, a Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony, while Mike’s father Bob Joseph looked on with true puzzlement, and Mike’s mother shed the obligatory tears. The couple then plunged into the waters of Round Cove along with the others who had gathered for that very purpose.

The couple had been scheduled to get married in June, but changed their minds and opted for the low-key surprise event. 

Kelly and Mike Joseph share a moment before the word was out that they were about to get married on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.
Justice of the Peace Ralph Joseph officiates as his nephew Mike Joseph places a ring on the finger of his bride Kelly in a surprise wedding on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.

Kelly and Mike Joseph share a giggle and a kiss after getting married in a surprise ceremony on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.
Kelly and Mike Joseph take the literal plunge into the water after they took the marital plunge in a surprise ceremony on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.

Bob Joseph (LEFT), father of the groom, looks a bit puzzled, while Donna Byrne Fallon (RIGHT), mother of the groom, gets emotional as Mike and Kelly Joseph get married in a surprise wedding on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.
Mother of the groom Donna Byrne Fallon gets a bit emotional as her grandchildren show how happy they are as Mike and Kelly Joseph get married in a surprise wedding on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.

Kelly and Mike Joseph (MIDDLE) pose with family members after taking the literal plunge and the marital plunge in a surprise ceremony on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.
Kelly and Mike Joseph (MIDDLE) pose with family members after taking the literal plunge and the marital plunge in a surprise ceremony on the Causeway Road beach on West Island on 1/1/23, where people had gathered for a polar plunge, and were treated to the surprise. Photo by Beth David.

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Click here to download the entire 1/5/23 issue: 01-05-23 Plunge

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