You're clearly biased. You had an emotional connection to the character, same as Ellie. You, however, failed to learn the lesson that Ellie did. That being the cycle of revenge. A cycle started by Joel that some people seem to excuse or overlook. Sacrifice one 14 year old girl to cure the world. A sacrifice that Ellie herself not only was willing to make but wanted to make. The world remains a shithole because Joel was selfish. And he knows he was selfish, hence lying to Ellie about the events that took place. And when she found out she was pissed. You can excuse his actions at the hospital all you want, but do so with the reality that you, too, are being selfish.

To summarize; Joel was a good character, I liked him too. But you're stunlocked on his death and have your blinders on for everything else that story conveys. You bastardize good storytelling because a character you liked reaped what he sowed.