Sergeant Joe Jesso: The Soldier Who Collects Nightmares

By Martin Zeilig – Voxair Reporter

In a quiet corner of Winnipeg, Manitoba, lives a man whose life defies easy categorization.

By day, Sergeant Joe Jesso serves up meals at 17 Wing Food Services. By night, he descends into a world of cinematic terror—a basement sanctuary he calls his “masked museum.”

Upstairs, posters and memorabilia hint at the obsession, but it’s below ground where the transformation is complete: a shrine to horror, heavy metal, and pop culture, curated with military precision and the fervor of a man who knows monsters better than most.

He knows fear, and he knows fascination—and how often they walk hand in hand.

 Sgt Jesso’s journey in the Canadian Armed Forces began in March 2008. After eight years at CFB Cold Lake, he arrived at 17 Wing in August 2025. His military career has been marked by discipline, resilience, and a deep sense of duty.

“I’ve always believed in doing something bigger than myself,” he says. “The military gave me structure, purpose, and a sense of belonging.”

His wife, Myra, soon to be Master Corporal and an aerospace control operator, shares his commitment to service. Together, they balance family life with careers in uniform.

His fascination with horror began in the 1980s—the golden age of slasher films.

“I remember going to the convenience store with its selection of movies, and I was always drawn to the horror section,” he recalls. “Michael Jackson’s Thriller album and video, which came out in 1984, scared me to death. That was my first addiction. Fear was my first addiction.”

That early thrill evolved into a lifelong obsession. Today, his collection includes thousands of items: vintage movie posters, rare VHS tapes, autographed props, life-size replicas, and original costumes. His most prized possession is a signed mask from A Nightmare on Elm Street, worn by Robert Englund himself.

Sgt Jesso’s collection isn’t just vast—it’s meticulously curated.

“I treat my collection like an armory,” he jokes. “Everything has its place, and everything is mission-critical.”

His basement, the “masked museum,” houses over 100 masks—from Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees to Slipknot’s iconic stage gear. Some are made of latex, others of high-grade silicon, crafted by independent artists.

 “I’ve dressed up in full costume to hand out candy to children on Halloween,” he says. “There’s a mask collecting community out there. I’ve taken a break from collecting masks right now because I’m running out of space.”

Before 2020, Sgt Jesso struggled with alcohol.

“I was a big-time binge drinker,” he admits. “It was the beginning of 2020 when I made a New Year’s resolution to stop drinking. So, I focused on what I always loved doing as a young man—collecting.”

That shift led to a creative renaissance.

He launched a YouTube channel in 2020, themed around Halloween, heavy metal music, and horror movies. He also dove deeper into music, expanding his guitar collection to 14 instruments—including a custom-made $10,000 guitar from Japan.

“I’ve been playing guitar since age 13. I prefer to play how I feel, improvising. I taught myself by watching videos.”

Jesso doesn’t just collect objects—he collects stories. His Stephen King library includes every first edition in chronological order. “

I love his writing, especially his older works,” he says.

He’s met legends like Metallica in Saskatoon and KISS in Calgary. But it’s not about celebrity—it’s about connection. “Every piece has a history, a connection to a moment that scared or thrilled someone. That’s powerful.”

Community and Connection

Sgt Jesso is a fixture in the horror memorabilia community. He attends conventions, swaps items, and mentors younger collectors. His Instagram and YouTube channel offer glimpses into his world, drawing fans from across the globe.

“It’s not about having the most stuff,” he says. “It’s about loving what you do and respecting the culture.”

Looking Ahead

Sgt. Jesso’s passion for history and storytelling is evident in the way he curates his personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia. Among his prized possessions is a 1930s vintage brown suitcase, which he uses to house his meticulously assembled Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark cosplay costume.

Inspired by Adam Savage’s YouTube channel, known for its screen-accurate prop replicas, Sgt Jesso saw what was possible and knew he could recreate the same cinematic magic.

“I see what he has and know it's capable for me to get the same thing,” he says with a grin.

While some might assume his dedication points toward ambitions of opening a museum, Sgt Jesso clarifies that’s not the case. His collection is a personal endeavor—an homage to the stories that shaped him and a way to connect with others who share his enthusiasm for adventure, craftsmanship, and historical detail.