Joseph was born to his parents Leo and Stephanie in the village of Alt-Zechsdorf, Moravia, a German speaking enclave in the former Czechoslovakia. Joseph learned the trade of shoemaking and was a young man trained as a municipal police officer. He and his brother Helmut emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1954. His mother and sister Hedi followed a year later and they all settled in Winnipeg.
Joe and Helmut worked initially for Herzog Construction, building roads in South East Manitoba, and then for many years for Swifts Meats. Joe finished his working years as a Transit Operator for Winnipeg Transit.
Joe became a Canadian Citizen in 1960. He met his future wife Margaret at a social at the Winnipeg German Club. They married and had four sons; Andrew, Norman, Theo and Kenneth.
Joe travelled widely after retirement using his enjoyment of National Geographic Society Magazine as a destination planner. He visited the Seven Gorges Dam in China, scuba dived off Australia, rode a steamship in the headwaters of the Amazon, and slept one uncomfortable night on Antarctica.
He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Hedi, his wife Margaret, his sons Norman and Kenneth, and his grandson Kevin.
Remembering him along with his son Andy and wife Kelly and grandson Russel, and his son Theo and wife Allie are his brother Helmut with his nieces Adrienne, Krista and Helga.
A private family gathering will be held when conditions allow.
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