Passed away peacefully at the Sunset Lodge on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the age of 86. Born in Poland on October 22, 1922, Joe was predeceased by his loving wife, Maria, in 2007 who he missed very much.
Joe will be lovingly remembered by his only daughter and son-in-law, Jo-Ann and Steve; his grandchildren, Stephanie (Ivica), Tugomir and Joey; and his great granddaughters, Katarina and Iva all whom he was very proud of and loved more than anything.
Joseph was a hardworking man who was apart of many different community organizations as at the Polish White Eagle Hall, The Lion’s Club, The Moose Hall and the Croatian Community. He was also a survivor of WWII. His hobbies included singing, dancing, gardening and playing music with his harmonica and his accordion. He loved life and people. To say he was one in a million was an understatement.
Joe was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend and will be missed by all. We will never forget your beautiful smile, your kindness and generosity and all the love and happiness you brought to our lives. We love you and will miss you so very much, but are comforted to know that you are now happily reunited with the love of your life.
Thank you to all the staff at Sunset Lodge for being so caring and special to Joe and the family.
Prayers will be offered on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 7:00 pm and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 11:00 am both at ST. LEOPOLD B. MANDIC CROATIAN CHURCH, 4081 Gordon Head Rd. Interment will follow at Royal Oak Burial Park.
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Frances Bergen
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Bill & Mary Koenig Joanne & family are thoughts & prays are with you .Your Dad was a wonderful man ,he was so special and will be sadly missed .All are love Bill & Mary Koenig
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thomas hoak jr sorry to hear about what has happen i wish i could have got up to see him before he left this world i wish all of u the best in this hard time and morn for your loss and to say im very sorry to haer all this i remember the time we come up to see you and he would mow the lawn and he would push the mower fast then it would go on it own but i have not seen him in yaers but i know im morning the lost just the same as my mother michelle is
hears to the best it can be now and in your hard time ahaed
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Michele Hoak Uncle Joe was such a sweet and loving man. I have many memories growing up and visiting him and Aunt Mary. He was the first to dance with me at my wedding as my cousin Jo-Ann played the piano. He could sure dance a mean polka.
My boys remember a visit we had where he took us to the Butchart Gardens and was trying to take pictures of them. Someone from the gardens told us not to walk on the grass and his response was “it’s ok…I know your boss”.
Joe had a generous heart. He would give you the shirt off his back if thought you needed it.
I will miss you Uncle Joe.
Our beautiful Uncle Joe left a wonderful legacy of memories for our family.
His passion, generosity, enthusiasm for life, music, children and gardening was something that we all admired about him. We have beautiful memories of the hours we’ve spent speaking with him and listening to his music and amazing powerful stories of survival.
It was his delight in the smallest of things that gave him the most pleasure.
From watching a child smile or giggle to a plant that wanted to grow and needed his help.
If he thought you needed to smile, he brought out the instruments and he sure got you to smile.
He was there for us, to hold us up, when we lost our parents. When the harmonica came out and he sang beautiful songs that my parents sang, it did make us smile. We knew that with his kindness, our parents were smiling down on all of us. He only wanted everyone to be happy.
Uncle Joe was one of the richest men in the world. Everyone wanted to bottle his energy, vitality and loving spirit.
Both Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary are testaments to the wonder of what life should really be about. Each and every one of us is so fortunate and grateful to have shared in their lives.
Dearest Joann and family of Uncle Joe, our thoughts and prayers are always with you. Thank you for sharing your dad and grandfather with us. We will treasure every moment forever.
Thank you dearest Uncle Joe for the wonderful gift you gave our family, the gift of you and your loving spirit to guide us each day.