Joseph Larkin

(October 7, 1918 – March 17, 2010)

Oh, how our Dad loved St. Patrick’s Day. It was a celebration of his roots, and always an occasion to share a drink and a laugh with family and friends. How fitting that his life ended on a day so special to him. Born in Fallowfield on October 7th, 1918, Joe moved to Ottawa as a young man where he met the love of his life, Adrienne (nee Lacroix, deceased 2002). Dad loved our Mom as much as any man can ever love a woman. They raised four children, shared everything- were joined at the hip, and in a marriage that spanned close to 6o years, they never fought, they never wavered, they lived as equal partners who exemplified what a great marriage should be. Thank you, Dad, for teaching your children how to love and be loved. At the age of 85, Dad did something few men his age have ever done. He wrote a novel. It was a terrifying suspense thriller called THE FUNERAL, and it put this humble man on a stage he so deserved – and never sought. Feature articles in the Ottawa Citizen and McLeans. Book signings. Television and radio appearances. Line-ups to buy this wonderful book, and to meet the man that wrote it. Thank you for that Dad. For teaching us that dreams should never die, and that people at any age can realize them. Thank you for sharing who you were, for giving us the gift of laughter, for being more than a father – for being our friend. Thank you most of all for being you....gone now but never, ever forgotten. Dad was pre-deceased by his sister, Audrey, and is survived by his older sister, Marian (Mills), and his four children, Bill (wife Donna), Michael (wife Diane), Gary (wife Nora) and Joanie (husband Bernie). Dad leaves behind 11 grandchildren (“Pop” to Bill and Donna’s children, Chris, Jennifer, Melissa and Tim; “Geeps” to Joanie’s children Tyler and Katie Cooper; Grampa to Michael’s children, Matt and Chelsea, and to Gary’s children, Patrick, James and Emilie.) He also is survived by 5 great grandchildren, Alana, Cameron, Christopher Joseph, Kaya and Kingston. A special thank you to the following people for the loving care they provided Dad during the past few years: Dr. A. Comerton and nurse Eileen; We Care’s Brandie, Herve, Diane, Luz, Bechara, Nancy, Forough, Margaret and Manda and his many friends at The Perley. Also a huge thank you to CNRO’s Pat for giving him the will to enjoy life to the max. Visitation at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road (at Albion), on Wednesday, March 24 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass Thursday, March 25 at 10 a.m. in Saint Patrick’s Basilica followed by burial at Pinecrest Cemetery. In memoriam donations to The Shepherds of Good Hope would be appreciated. Online condolences may be offered at www.mcevoy-shields.com.