Joseph (Joe) Edward Slater died peacefully while surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead. Joe has been struggling with a significant decline brought on by progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) over the past several years. He chose to end his life, while he was still in control, with the aid of MAiD provisions and in the company and support of his family.
Joe grew up in Kamloops, B.C. before joining the military, first attending Royal Roads and then the Royal Military College. Joe served in Trenton, Ontario and Gypsumville, Manitoba before joining the federal government in 1967. Joe spent the next 32 years working for Environment Canada including an assignment with the International Maritime Organisation in London, U.K. before retiring in 1999.
Upon retirement, Joe moved to a country home at Crow Lake, Ontario with his wife Sandi. Sandi died in 2003 after 38 years of marriage. Joe stayed at Crow Lake until 2011 after which he moved to Victoria, B.C. and married Noreen Greig.
Joe is survived by his wife Noreen, his son Jeff and daughter Sheryl along with their partners Marissa and Andrew and Joe’s sister Dorothy.
Joe was passionate about his work and his family. He was involved in many volunteer roles with several community organizations. Joe made significant contributions in the Crow Lake community in his 10 years there. He was instrumental in the Meisel Woods Conservation Area being developed around a nearby lake and the trail through Meisel Woods was named in remembrance of Sandi Slater after her death. Some of Joe’s ashes will be distributed along this trail.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Lodge in making the past months a supportive transition to the end. Brain tissue will be donated to the Mayo Clinic to aid in continued research into PSP and its onset and treatment.
A Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, November 19 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive.
In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted at the Heart and Stroke Foundation – HeartandStroke.ca, CurePSP.org or the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation – rvca.ca (directed to support the Sandi Slater Memorial Trail).
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Noreen Greig Slater
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Margaret Gibson Dear Jeff and Sheryl,
I’ve known your dad Since the early 60’s and I remember you kids as teenagers in Winnipeg, I think. I believe I only met you once as adults….maybe At the Lake?
Joe phoned me maybe three or four months ago and let me know his plans, but I am grateful to have been sent the date of his departure as I emailed him the day before and had a reply from him. Now I’m also grateful to Len Gibson for seeing that I have these messages.
Your parents and I were very good friends. I, like so many, was shattered when Sandi died. i enjoyed many good times with them in London and at the lake, for the several years I lived in Ontario. Joe and I both ended up back in BC.
Over the years , we talked lots about ‘Jeff and Sheryl‘. So I know way more about you than you know about me,
I send my deepest sympathy, and though I don’t know Noreen, perhaps you would convey my condolences to her for me.
With gratitude that your parents were good friends to me.
Margaret Dillon gIbson
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Susan ans Joe Buchanan Sending our sincere condolences to Jeff, Marissa, Sheryl, Andrew and Noreen.
We enjoyed over twenty years playing bridge with and enjoying the company of Sandi and Joe. They were wonderful, generous hosts, in Ottawa, London England and Crow Lake.
We have such fond memories of dear friends who are truly missed.
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Pat Loyst and family Dear Cheryl and all the family. WE are so sorry for your loss. My memories of you and the family go way back to Antigua. We all had a great week , unplanned but just happened,and it was great. Again I am so sorry for your loss. Pat Loyst a classmate of Sandies
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Alexandre Henri-Bhargava I had the privilege of caring for Joe as one of his physicians. Unfortunately I had no treatment to offer for the horrible disease that took him beyond supporting him through the symptoms. Joe faced his illness and death with grace. I remember him as a kind and intelligent man with a warm sense of humour.
I would like to offer my sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.
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Don & Jan Poole Condolences to the Slater family. Many great memories of our time at Roads and RMC. Although our paths did not cross during our service careers we did enjoy a great trip travelling together with Joe and Noreen in Eastern Europe and on the Danube.
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Clay Samis My condolences to the Slater family. Joe was one of the first friends I made at Royal Roads and shared the cabin next door to me in first year. We went on to be in the same civil engineering class at RMC. He was always a true gentleman and a great friend. Unfortunately our careers took us in different directions and I only saw him occasionally at reunions and class functions over the years, but I always enjoyed his company. He made a very brave decision. May he rest in peace.
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John and Dianne Thomas Joe and I met in 1959, when we moved into Royal Roads, across the hall from each other. He was thoughtful, caring and warm-hearted then and through the rest of his life. We remained close friends over the years and visited Joe and Sandi often at Crow Lake.
Our condolences to the Slater family
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Doug Foreman 8501 Many condolences to the family. Joe was an admirable example of dealing with adversity. RIP Sapper
Doug and Jan
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Len and Dixie Staples Sheryl, Andrew, Jeff, Marissa and Noreen,
We will always remember Joe as a wonderful classmate, friend and Neighbour with happy recollections of get togethers in the neighbourhood and beyond. I know your memories of happy times together will help you through this difficult time and beyond. Joe bore his illness with dignity and made the very difficult but brave decision. He lwill be remembered.
Sincerely,
Len, Dixie, Paul, Jodi and their families send sincere condolences.
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Jinny Dear Noreen, Andrew and Sheryl – my thoughts are with you all. Such a loss, I know. Honestly, I’m glad Joe left this life, as he did living it, on his own terms. Warmest wishes to sustain you as you grieve,
Jinny
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Barry and Carthy Ager Jeff, Sheryl, Marissa, Andrew,
Our deepest condolences are heaped with admiration and gratefulness to have known your Dad. The activities with the swimming community and neighbourhood get-togethers are fondly remembered. You have much to remember and to take consolation in.
Our sympathies and prayers are with you.
Cathy and Barry
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Bryan Henry Joe was my wonderful friend for over 50 years. His friendship greatly enriched my life. I valued the chance to tell him that shortly before his passing,and admired his tremendous courage. Vaile and I and our children had many very enjoyable times with Joe, Sandi, Jeff and Sheryl.
Noreen, my deepest sympathy. Thank you for loving and caring for Joe over these last difficult years. Jeff and Sheryl, I know how proud your Dad was of both of you. I am sure the years to come will bring many warm and comforting memories, and even the occasional chuckle.
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Eileen Rose Joe was always open to conversation, learning and laughter. The progressive disease he suffered from was truly unfair. I remember after Sandi’s death he was at a loss how to cook and I brought him an introductory cookbook. Everytime I saw him after that he remembered and thanked me. It is a rare person who truly appreciated that which he was given. I am saddened that I cannot be there to say goodbye in Victoria. Please accept condolences and love from myself, Will and Allan. He is at peace now and will not suffer anymore. Much love, Eileen.
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Tony and Jean Nichols Sheryl, Jeff and Noreen.
Our sincerest condolences on the peaceful passing of your father and husband. Joe and I first met at Royal Roads in 1959 and our intersecting lives crossed many times over the years. Comments about his and Sandi’s height and my lack thereof continued even after her too early departure. Our families camped together and we shared time playing bridge with mutual friends over the years.
Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
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Dr W Gavin Greig and family though we only briefly were acquainted with Joe when he stayed with us in January 2014 we really enjoyed his company and conversation.We appreciated his open mindedness and awareness and tolerance for other cultures. He always wanted to know what was going on in the world.He was a gentleman taken away from us by a bizarre condition for which there is no cure at present.We hope that Joe’s donation may help in research into the condition.We will always remember Joe sitting on our veranda repeatedly throwing a tennis ball for one of our Springer spaniels to retrieve.
gavin greig
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Valerie Moore Noreen, my deepest sympathy in your loss of Joe. Enjoyed many good times in Sharbot Lake and at his beautiful home on Crow Lake. The bridge group always liked to go to Joe’s and be treated to his desserts. I still have his recipe for strawberry rhubarb coffee cake. To Andrew and Sheryl, my condolences on the loss of your Dad. He was a very special man.
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Darwin Marquardt I will always remember Joe from our days at Environment Canada. He was a great guy and we had many chats together. My sincere condolences to the Slater family….as I know, he will be missed…:Darwin
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FRED CARPENTER, RMC Classmate My condolences to the Slater family.
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Daryl & Mary Ann Hayward My heart aches. I always enjoyed my Wednesday afternoons at Broadmead Lodge when I would spend s bit of time with Joe, Noreen and their scruffy little black dog. I am pleased that Joe’s son and daughter were able to travel from far away (Qatar and Hong Kong) to be with Joe during his final hours.
God bless you all.
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Carol & David Lett Farewell mate; we will remember those halcyon days.
Short Final
by Russ NicholSlow Descent
the low dark clouds above me now
sky ahead clear, at last, and the stars are out.
What remains of the light in the west
confirms the grass field straight ahead.
Cool in the cabin.
instruments fuzzy and barely readable,
but unnecessary.
The feel and sound of the old machine is familiar and reassuring
Hanger light on
Odd-not expecting anyone to meet me.
No traffic, no cross wind to counter,
the dark windsock
limp in the still air.
Approach advisory unnecessary.
Over the threshold,
engine low idle,
darkness, except for the light in the hanger
and the soft glow over the nose.
The wheels touch as the old craft settles to the earth
and with the last of the momentum
rolls to a stop at the hanger.
Radio off.
switches off.
engine off.
Home.
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Cally Andrew and Sheryl. Our thoughts are with you during this sad and difficult time for you and your family. You have our deepest sympathy. Just know that we are here for you. All our love. Cally & Guy x
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Jeff & Victoria Our warmest, best thoughts are with you all. Joe led a very good life and left a wonderful legacy in his family.
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Guy Syrett and Holly Chui Condolences to the Slater family. We cannot give you our shoulders to lean on or give you handkerchiefs when you need them in Canada. But our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow and grief from Hong Kong.
Guy and Holly
If Joe was still with us I know he would appreciate my taking a few minutes to acknowledge all of you who have sent us their condolences, love and memories. Some of you I have never met but Joe always enjoyed telling me about happy times he shared with Sandi and many of you. Sheryl and Jeff’s friends who wrote are to be thanked, too
Joe and I met in 1967 following my emigrating to Winnipeg from the UK – we were neighbours. Sandi became one of my best friends over a number of years and Joe tried to teach me and my late husband how to play bridge!
Joe and I had ten very happy years together, never to be forgotten. Thank you all for your thoughts. Knowing you cared is helping me handle my grief. Joe was a wonderful man whom Sophie and I dearly loved