To Diane,
I was so sad when I looked in the paper Wed. and read that Joe had passed away.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jean MacDonald

My deepest condolences 'to Dane and family.  He was a great educator and I thoroughly enjoyed working with Joe at UOIT as an instructor and workshop presenter.  Cliff Moon (Port Perry, ON)

Joe worked with me during 2003 - 2004 to provide information about Technological Education and the funding for renewal and growth for secondary schools across Ontario. He demonstrated a deep commitment to the quality of Technological Education in Ontario. His helpful spirit was always matched with his sense of humour. I have many memories of working together. He will be remembered by many students and teachers who were inspired by his years as an educator. Marie Gabriel Durham DSB

Diane & Family , So sorry to hear the sad news of Joe's passing. No words can express our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this difficult time.  Sincerely,  Patsy Calvin and Ann Sullivan

This is a shock. My deepest condolences to Diane and the rest of the family. Although I will not be able to attend the celebration, my thoughts and prayers will be with you. I am deeply appreciative of the friendship that Joe extended while I worked alongside him at the Scarborough Board of Education and later at UOIT.

In Chinese, we have a question similar to the which come first, egg or chicken? But ours was who is more important, Park Lock, a horse master, or the horse that can run a thousand miles a day. Surely this horse is a rare breed that doesn't exist one in a million. But if Park Lock wasn't there to point out this is a rare breed, this horse may just be use as a regular work horse or may be even use for hamburger meat. To me Park Lock is more important and to me Joe is Park Lock. I happened to be born in the year of horse and I have been just a dump work horse since childhood for all my teachers and my classmates. Joe saw something in me and gave me all his support and lots of opportunities to stretch my muscles.  I can become who I am today mainly because of Joe and his successors, Carmen and Nancy. But those early years working with him were the most important ones for me.  
I am sure Joe has been Park Lock to many people and all those who have come in contact with him will miss his humors, charm and wisdom terribly.  But I know he is now resting in peace in heaven, drinking his beer, knowing that his duty on earth is done.
Ps. Joe shared this article couple of days before which I feel we all can benefit from it.
Hi Stephen
Forgot !!! to send this to you yesterday....it is quite a good lesson and I'm certain you will agree with it. An interesting point for sure.
 
Regards
Joe
 

 
Don't Widen the Plate 

In Nashville, Tennessee, during the first week of January, 1996, more than 4,000 baseball coaches
descended upon the Opryland Hotel for the 52nd annual ABCA convention. While I waited in line to
register with the hotel staff, I heard other more veteran coaches rumbling about the lineup of speakers
scheduled to present during the weekend. One name, in particular, kept resurfacing, always with the
same sentiment  John Scolinos is here? Oh man, worth every penny of my airfare.
Who is John Scolinos, I wondered. No matter, I was just happy to be there. In 1996,
Coach Scolinos was 78 years old and five years retired from a college coaching career that
began in 1948. He shuffled to the stage to an impressive standing ovation, wearing dark
polyester pants, a light blue shirt, and a string around his neck from which home plate hung
 a full-sized, stark-white home plate. Seriously, I wondered, who is this guy?
After speaking for twenty-five minutes, not once mentioning the prop hanging around his neck,
Coach Scolinos appeared to notice the snickering among some of the coaches. Even those who
knew Coach Scolinos had to wonder exactly where he was going with this, or if he had simply
forgotten about home plate since he'd gotten on stage.
Then, finally  You're probably all wondering why I'm wearing home plate around my neck.
Or maybe you think I escaped from Camarillo State Hospital, he said, his voice growing irascible.
I laughed along with the others, acknowledging the possibility.
No, he continued, I may be old, but I'm not crazy. The reason I stand before you today is to
share with you baseball people what I've learned in my life, what I've learned about home plate
in my 78 years.  Several hands went up when Scolinos asked how many Little League coaches
were in the room. Do you know how wide home plate is in Little League? After a pause, someone offered, Seventeen inches, more question than answer.
That's right, he said. How about in Babe Ruth? Any Babe Ruth coaches in the house? Another long pause. Seventeen inches?came a guess from another reluctant coach. That's right, said Scolinos.
Now, how many high school coaches do we have in the room? Hundreds of hands shot up, as
the pattern began to appear. How wide is home plate in high school baseball? Seventeen inches, they said, sounding more confident. You're right! Scolinos barked.
And you college coaches, how wide is home plate in college? Seventeen inches! we said, in unison.
Any Minor League coaches here? How wide is home plate in pro ball? Seventeen inches! RIGHT!
And in the Major Leagues, how wide home plate is in the Major Leagues? Seventeen inches!
SEV-EN-TEEN INCHES! he confirmed, his voice bellowing off the walls. And what do they do with a Big League pitcher who can't throw the ball over seventeen inches? Pause. They send him to Pocatello! he hollered, drawing raucous laughter. What they don't do is this: they don't say, Ah, that's okay, Jimmy. You can't hit a seventeen-inch target? We'll make it eighteen inches, or nineteen inches. We'll make it twenty inches so you have a better chance of hitting it. If you can't hit that, let us know so we can make it wider still, say twenty-five inches.'
Pause. Coaches  Pause.   what do we do when our best player shows up late to practice? When our team rules forbid facial hair and a guy shows up unshaven? What if he gets caught drinking? Do we hold him accountable? Or do we change the rules to fit him, do we widen home plate?
The chuckles gradually faded as four thousand coaches grew quiet, the fog lifting as the old coach's message began to unfold. He turned the plate toward himself and, using a Sharpie, began to draw something. When he turned it toward the crowd, point up, a house was revealed, complete with a freshly drawn door and two windows.
This is the problem in our homes today. With our marriages, with the way we parent our kids. With our discipline. We don't teach accountability to our kids, and there is no consequence for failing to meet standards.
We widen the plate!
Pause. Then, to the point at the top of the house he added a small American flag. This is the problem in our schools today. The quality of our education is going downhill fast and teachers have been stripped of the tools they need to be successful, and to educate and discipline our young people. We are allowing others to widen home plate! Where is that getting us? Silence.
He replaced the flag with a Cross. And this is the problem in the Church, where powerful people in positions of authority have taken advantage of young children, only to have such an atrocity swept under the rug for years.
Our church leaders are widening home plate!
I was amazed. At a baseball convention where I expected to learn something about curveballs and bunting and how to run better practices, I had learned something far more valuable. From an old man with home plate strung around his neck, I had learned something about life, about myself, about my own weaknesses and about my responsibilities as a leader. I had to hold myself and others accountable to that which I knew to be right, lest our families, our faith, and our society continue down an undesirable path.
If I am lucky, Coach Scolinos concluded, you will remember one thing from this old coach today. It is this:
if we fail to hold ourselves to a higher standard, a standard of what we know to be right; if we fail to hold our spouses and our children to the same standards, if we are unwilling or unable to provide a consequence when they do not meet the standard; and if our schools and churches and our government fail to hold themselves accountable to those they serve, there is but one thing to look forward to 
With that, he held home plate in front of his chest, turned it around, and revealed its dark black backside. dark days ahead.
Coach Scolinos died in 2009 at the age of 91, but not before touching the lives of hundreds of players and coaches, including mine. Meeting him at my first ABCA convention kept me returning year after year, looking for similar wisdom and inspiration from other coaches. He is the best clinic speaker the ABCA has ever known because he was so much more than a baseball coach. His message was clear: Coaches, keep your players no matter how good they are  your own children, and most of all, keep yourself at seventeen inches.

My sincere condolences on the passing of Joe.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Diane and family, my deepest condolences. Joe always made me smile. He touched the hearts of all who knew him. He will be greatly missed and will be fondly remembered. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sadness. May your heart smile with memories of Joe, always. 
Deepest regards, Denise Bouillon
(Former Buckingham Meat Market Employee/Friend, Oshawa)

It was always a pleasure to see Joe on his visits to New Brunswick. He made a point to visit many of his friends, cousins and remaining aunts and uncles. We exchanged many emails about hockey and of course the Maple Leafs. He was always right too. From Angela, Tyler, Casey and myself to you Diane, Joanne, Robert, Catherine and Jimmy our deepest condolences. I will take a couple of cold Alpine beers to Meadow Brook where we talked about going fishing!!

Although I can not be there to see you off or comfort family as they have done for me in the past, my thoughts and love will be with you.

Dear Diane, Cathy, Jimmy & Families - We are so sorry to hear of Joe's passing.  We remember Joe's dry wit (like his dad's) and his wonderful Maritime warmness and hospitality that he carried with him to Ontario. Among the photos we cherish are a few of the Hogan family growing up with the Mackin family in East Saint John as well as Somerset Street.  Your smile and humour were contagious.  Our sincere condolences to all of you with our love and prayers.
God bless,  Theresa & Jim Stoddart

I am reminded today of the fun times we had in the sixties as part of the St. Pius X High Y  group. You were a great friend to many of us. Now you are in heaven with your mother and father.

Judy McHugh Riley

Diane and Family,
Joe was a wonderful person -  outgoing, upbeat, generous, and dedicated... and oh so good at whatever he took charge of in Education. I have always had the highest respect for Joe, and have fond memories of him from the John A. Leslie years and beyond. I will miss him and am so very sorry for your loss. With deepest sympathy,
Diane Byers (Mississauga, ON)

Joe, you will be missed by many, it was an honour to have known you for many years. Diane and family please accept our sincere condolences.
Sue and Mike Howarth 
Durham JCI Senate

Diane and family: I worked with Joe for many years at John A Leslie and at the Scarborough Board. He truly moved technological education ahead for students snd staff-he brought it alive and students loved it. He was always so generous with his time, ready to help anyone. My sincere condolences to the family.

I had the honour to work with Joe at WindReach on many occasions.  He was a lovely, fun and intelligent man who gave his time, his kindness and his compassion. He will be sincerely missed.

Diane & Family,
I have many fond memories of Joe during our Jaycee days. He was a tireless worker, a leader and a friend of many.
Our condolences to you and the family on your loss.

Ralph & Marlene Robinson
Stratford, ON

I just met Joe last week when he drove the tractor for Wind Reach Farm.  What a delightful man!  He helped to make a wonderful day for a large group of visitors and a couple of us volunteers.  I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

I will miss the jokester and a great and caring man. Al from Windreach

WE WERE SADDENED TO HEAR OF JOES' PASSING.  
WE WILL REMEMBER A GREAT YOUNG MAN,KIND,GENEROUS AND THOUGHTFUL
HE WAS A GEM.
HE HAD A BEAUIFUL FLOWER GARDEN, LOVABLE BIRDS AND VOLUNTEERED MANY DAYS HELPING THE GIRL GUIDES.HE WAS THE BEST AT PITCHING A BELL TENT.

                  JOE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO ALL


FROM OLD FRIENDS

JOHN AND JEAN BURNS
SAINT JOHN,NB

Diane, Joanne and Robert, it with a heavy heart I write this note.  Joe or "old Joe" he would call himself when he wrote or called mom, was a bright light in moms eyes.  She would be so excited when a letter came or a phone call or visit.  She loved him as all the Hogans did.   Today as I sorted Mothers letters, I read may of Joe's letters she kept..  A giant of a man in our hearts with a gentle sole.    Prayers to you, Joanne, Robert, Jim, Cathy, Helen, Emily, Cathy and Terry.   I will never  forget Joe as his presence is in bedded in my mind. A beautiful sole has entered the gates of heaven where the Hogans are there to greet him.  Love Kathy Clark

For years Joe was a source of both mirth and reason at Jaycee functions.  We have lost a true friend and this world will be smaller without him.
Joe, you will be missed.  
Bob Brozina, Durham JCI Senate.

For years Joe was a source of both mirth and reason at Jaycee functions.  We have lost a true friend and this world will be smaller with his passing.
Joe, you will be missed.  
Bob Brozina, Durham JCI Senate.

Diane, Joanne and Robert... We are so very sorry to hear of our good friend's passing. LOVED Joe ... his sense of humour ... his wittiness ... his charm! We will miss his stop-bys and friendly chats.  Joe was a truly great person.  We are so fortunate to have been able to share some of his life adventures. This will be a truly trying time for all of you, but you CAN DO IT and Joe would be extremely proud of all of you! If you need anything, please call us.

Terry and Charlotte Hackney

We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Joe, he was a great guy.  Always made a point of stopping by to see us when he was in Grand Bay.  Thinking about you at this difficult time. Mary and Pat Hogan.

My deepest condolences Diane to you and your family. I have many fond memories of early years with Joe, he was a great guy with a keen sense of humor -  very kind and always eager to lend a hand. He will be missed. Lorraine (Ramsey) Bird.

Sorry to hear of the passing of Joe. He was a great person, hard worker and had a passion for education and promoting the best out of everyone. Although I haven't seen Joe in a few years, his laugh still resonates in my mind. Thanks for all your hard work as an OCTE Conference Chair and moving people forward. Rest in piece my friend.

What a great Educator. Truly believed in Technological Education and its merit. He was a hard working individual that many respected and admired. He will be missed. Rest in peace

 I am so sorry to hear of Joe's unexpected passing. Although he and I were almost the farthest apart, in terms of age, in the Hogan family, I got to know him better in the past 15-20 years and always enjoyed his company. He had a great sense of humour and a generous spirit that will be missed deeply. He would always stop by the pharmacy when down for a NB visit. Usually I would hear a "ruckus" and look up to see him grinning at me. Great fellow for sure! Brenda, Maddie, Ben and I will keep you and all the family in our thoughts and prayers as you go though these difficult days.                              
                                                                         Peter Hogan
                                                                         Quispamsis, NB

Farewell my friend and brother.  The times we shared together will continue to bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

Allan McDougall JCI Durham Senate

Diane you have my deepest sympathy in your loss of Joe my friend who always 
made time tostop in aand see me when in Saint John as ypou very well know a great guy I will miss his talks about you and hi s children a much loss for you I
know 
 HE WILL BE  MISED BY A LOTOF PEOPLE

  kEN

OBITUARY

John Joseph "Joe" Hogan

Oshawa Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services