Jon was born February 1st, 1922 in Victoria, B.C. and passed away peacefully at The Lodge at Broadmead on Saturday, May 4th, 2019, three months after celebrating his 97th birthday. Predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Verna, and son-in-law Doug, he is survived by his son Calvin (Linda) and daughters, Vanessa, Sabrina (Al), and Charlayne (Phil).
He was loved and known as Guhn Guhn to his grandchildren Blaine (Mary), Darrin, Kevyn and Melissa (Tyler) and “Tai Guhn” to great-grandchildren Iain and Claire. Born into a large family of 8 children, he is also survived by brother Tom (Betty), sister-in-law May and was known as “Uncle Jon” to many– whether related or not.
He attended North Ward, Central Junior High and Vic High School. Jon was a veteran, one of the Charter members of the Victoria Chinatown Lions Club, a member of the Chinese Freemasons Society, Dart Coon Club and Yue Shan Society. He was past president of the Dart Coon Club of Canada, Yue Shan Society, Chong How Society, and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and was regarded as a long-time member of our Chinese community—the oldest in Canada.
After the war, Jon went to work at his father’s shoe repair shop on Government Street and in the evenings worked at Don Mee Restaurant as a bartender and as a manager for many years.
He met the love of his life, Verna, when they were in their late teens while learning kung fu and the lion dance and learned to perform in Chinese plays and to sing Chinese opera which led to performing for many fundraisers in the community. After the war, Jon and Verna married in 1946.
After retirement, he used his new found time for playing even more golf, as he was a member of the Gorge Vale Golf Club for 35 years, travelling with our mom, playing Mah Jong, working in their garden, cooking wonderful meals for the family and looking after their grandchildren.
When he could no longer drive or play golf, he enjoyed watching golf on television and became a big fan of hockey….and the Canucks (if they were winning)! In his final months, he commented many times that he had lived a good life and that it was time to join our mom.
The family would like to thank all his good friends through the years, family members who came to visit him often (especially cousin Elayne Eng who had breakfast with him every Wednesday), the staff at The Lodge at Broadmead and the Angels of RJ Angels Care who helped look after him since early last year.
Dad will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by a multitude of family and friends for his smile, sense of humour, his knowledge of Chinese Victoria history and love for his family.
A Celebration of Jon’s Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC., on Saturday, May 25th, 2019 at 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at Royal Oak Burial Park.
Donations can be made to the Chinatown Care Centre, The Lodge at Broadmead or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family may be offered below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Ray and LInda Travers
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Judy chan Hi Vanessa,
My condolences to u and family for the loss of your beloved dad. He lived a real good life. A mentor to all for his charisma, n interest in many likes, in particular sports..
A donation will be made by me to toronto general hospital in honour of your dad. U will receive notification from the hospital.
Judy chan
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Robert Darnell I have fond memories of Jon when I was a boy living on Herald Street in the 1940’s and Jon was working in Sing Toy Shoe repair. Some 25 years later when I was starting the Pizza Pieman business I spent some time with Jon picking his brains about home delivery and all its pros & cons. He was a good man and will be sorely missed by many.
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Cheryl and Ron Lafferty Our Condolences to The Joe Family at this most difficult time.
May all the loving Memories that were left behind guide you through the sorrow.
Take peace that he is now with his lovely wife.
Blessings to All of You.
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Derek & Brenda Chow Dear Vanessa, Charlayne, Sabrina, Calvin and families
Our sincere condolences at this difficult time. We have fond memories of Uncle Jon and Aunty Verna socializing with our parents over many years.
He always had a big smile and a big hello. A dear friend, mentor and Community Leader; Uncle Jon will be remembered with fondness.
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Cairine and Fred Green Dear Charlayne and Family: We send out heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your wonderful Dad. We remember spending some treasured times with your Mum and Dad at the home of mutual friends. They were an amazing couple and both leave memorable and important legacies to their family and community, and to all of those who had the good fortune of meeting and knowing them. You are in our hearts and thoughts. Cairine and Fred Green
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Arlene Mar Very sorry for your loss. I remember your father very well as a child. I remember in Chinatown having coffee with his many friends. My dad being one of them. Your mother and father were good friends of my parents John and Elsie Mar
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Nelles Shackleton. I’m feeling your loss and am humbled to have shared so many wonderful times at dinners and events with your Dad. My fondest memory is sharing a cup of tea at Government House in Rudi’s Tea Room.
Sending all the Joe Family my condolences. May you Rest In Peace and now you are joining your beautiful wife. May God bless all of you now at this time.
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Mavis Degirolamo Your dad was obviously loved so deeply by family members and so many others. I hope that you will always cherish great and happy memories as you also find time to grieve his passing.
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Jan Ross and family Such fond memories of sitting with proud grandparents as we all watched our children (classmates) at Christmas concerts and other special Fairburn events. Also chatting with Jon waiting to pick up our daughters while he waited for Kevyn and Melissa after school. Always pleasant and fun to chat with. Our community was so the richer for his presence here and that of his gracious lovely wife.
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King Lee The Joe Family:
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I remember Jon when I was a young boy, working at the shoe repair shop in the mid-40s and eventually meeting his young bride. I even remember his father, who had a cheery disposition which Jon also had.
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Sherry and Tom Black Tom and I are thinking of you Charlene and Phil, and hoping that your wonderful memories of your fantastic Dad help you through your grief! We will miss the ‘movie nights’, and all the stories you would tell about him!❤️ Big Hugs xoxo
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Penny M Glennie I believe I only met you once but through Charlayne’s loving stories and updates I feel I came to know you. May your family draw comfort from the fact that you lived a long and loving life and have gone on to join Mrs Joe. My thoughts are with Charlayne, Vanessa and Sabrina and their families at this time.
Very sad to learn about the loss of a good long time neighbour on our street. Jon Joe was always cheerful and helpful. Linda and I send our condolences to the whole Joe family.