Ivan Albert Lucius Joseph was born on April 27th, 1943, in Georgetown, Guyana, on the continent of South America. As a young boy he loved to play cricket, soccer, ride motorcycles and act in plays whenever he got a chance. While he loved the stage and sports- nothing compared to him finding the love of his life in New Amsterdam, Guyana. It was there he met Carmen Lorraine (Glasgow) Joseph at a country dance. Although she tried to turn him down several times, the combination of charm, wit, dashing good looks and dogged persistence were just too much for her to resist. These two sweethearts would marry young, and Ivan would set off to begin his career as a laboratory technician on the sugar cane estate. His life took a turn when he was recruited by a visiting researcher from Nova Scotia Agricultural College at Dalhousie University (NSAC) to come and study. Ivan and Carmen Lorraine saw this as an opportunity to create a better life for their young family and made the sacrifice to live apart in New York City and Canada while Carmen Lorraine supported Ivan’s pursuit of higher education. Always a trailblazer, Ivan was one of only two racialized men at the entire campus. At NSAC he excelled in varsity athletics winning the conference soccer championships and achieving top marks amongst his peers.
Ivan would then go on to pursue his BSc at McGill University in Soil Sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Having his years of soil experience not be recognized by Canadian employers, Ivan had to start over again and went to work as a hired hand on the Goodwill farm. He loved to garden, milk cows, drive tractors, build a tight mow and always considered himself a farmer in his heart.
Soon as they were able, Ivan and Lorraine sent for their 3 kids (Pam Costello, Natasha Brown, and Ivan Joseph, Jr). They began their Canadian adventure in a 1-bedroom apartment in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood and later on the farm where he worked, before settling down in their own country home in King City.
Ivan found himself once again recruited and joined PCO as a service technician. Ivan LOVED bugs! He spent over 40 years with PCO and retired as a Regional Manager. Ivan was always about excellence and loved the folks he worked with. At PCO, he was a Lifetime Topper (Top salesman award) and was the National Sales Manager of the Year 3 years in a row.
A lifetime coach, entertainer and man of God, Ivan spent his time away from work volunteering. He coached for the King City Youth Soccer Association and sang in his church choir, but, without reservation his favourite Fall activity was the Kingsmen show—a local church men’s group who loved to put on a vaudeville-style night of songs and skits topped off with a dinner as an annual fundraiser. Ivan was a good friend to many, often found joking with his fellows at the bowling league, golf course or at a Caribbean party. Ivan and Carmen Lorraine loved to dance at the Caribbean socials and also began to travel when their nest emptied and saw much of the world.
Ivan’s humour, compassion, warm smile, and gentle nature will be missed by many. He was quick to laugh and always ready to help anyone in need.
Ivan leaves behind the love of his life, Carmen Lorraine Joseph and his three children: Pam and Paul Costello, Natasha and O’Neil Brown, and Ivan and Polly Joseph. Seven grandchildren: Kenny Bardoo, Jamal Brown, Grace Joseph, Trevor Costello, Claire Joseph Brown, Ivan Joseph, III and Kareem Brown. He is survived by two sisters, Joy and John Callendar and Holly Joseph, two brothers, Dennis Joseph and Nigel and Yvette Joseph as well as two sisters- in-law Barbara and Jerry Williams and Linette and Keith Daniels. He was predeceased by his brother Leland Joseph, his sister Hollis Jones, and his parents Ivan and Lottie Joseph. He will be missed by many relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbours.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking to please consider a small donation in his name to New Hope United Church so his legacy may continue of serving others.
Visitation will take place at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON on Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 2 – 5 p.m.. A Funeral Service will take place on Monday, March 13, 2023 at New Hope United Church, 9100 Jane Street, Bldg. E Concord, ON at 11 a.m. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com
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