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
24 Responses
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.
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.
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.
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
Many condolences to the family. Joe was an admirable example of dealing with adversity. RIP Sapper
Doug and Jan
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.
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
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
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.
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.