November 13, 1928 - June 25, 2023
Passed away peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital.
Beloved husband of the late Joan (nee Hess) for 69 years.
Treasured father to John (Cambridge, Ontario.), Diane Hogan (Mike) (Calgary, Alberta) and Cheryl Gimpel (Charlie) (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan).
Loved by his grandchildren, Danielle Leclair (Andy Anderson) (Cambridge, Ontario), Dustin Hogan (Calgary, Alberta), Lindsay Hogan (Jarrett Smith) (Calgary, Alberta), Carley Storey (Dan) (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan), Chelsea Cryderman (Derek) (Bellaire, Michigan), Nicole Leclair-List (Graham) (Cambridge, Ontario) and Great Grandchildren, Charlie and Collins Cryderman and Parker Smith
Born in Blind River, Ontario he was the middle child of 9 to his late parents, Elzear and Emma Leclair.
He was very proud of his Blind River roots and his entire family and upbringing in this wonderful little town.
His jovial, fun-loving personality resonated with his many nieces and nephews, and they will truly miss his stories and antics. They will reminisce about Uncle Joe for years to come. Dad was always kindly remembered by our incredible cousins on birthdays and milestones. Thank you for that.
Trained as an electrician, Dad worked at Algoma Steel for 35 years, several of those years as Secretary Treasurer for local 2251. Dad was instrumental in the origin of the Group Health Centre by successfully participating in obtaining the funding from the International Union. He was the first person to sign up because he believed in the concept and then diligently recruited union members to donate to the cause and make the GHC a reality. After retiring he sat on the Board of Referees for the UIC for 22 years and really enjoyed that.
Dad was a patriotic Canadian, a loyal Habs fan and Toronto Blue Jays fan and also loved the WWE.
He was a gifted hockey player back in the day and loved to talk about his hockey adventures and his battle wounds from the game, the ones he had and the ones he gave.
Special thanks to; Dr. Shaffie for years of care, Dr. Jadavji and Dr. Boseovski for their exemplary empathy and help, also the nurses and PSWs on 2A and 2C and especially Darcie, Melissa and April. Also thank you to the PSWs from the March of Dimes, Sam and Katie and homecare nurse Susan for your kindness and care and a special heartfelt shout out to cousin Karen Linley for always being such a great support to our family.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no service as per Dad's request.
Memorial donations, should you wish, can be made payable to Kidsport Sault Ste Marie, Ontario (Bring or mail cheque to 215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) or online at www.kidsportcanada.ca/ontario/sault-ste-marie
Rest in Peace Dad, Papa, Uncle Joe. You have had a long, wonderful journey.
As Dad always said when we said our goodbyes,
"See you in the Movies."
Give Mom a hug for us.
Both of you, always loved and never forgotten.
Visit www.damignanifunerals.ca to leave condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to Damignani Burial, Cremation and Transfer Service (215 St. James Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1P7, 705-450-0969).