April 17, 2021
1936-2021 ~ It is with deep sadness that we announce that our dear husband and father Joe Brookes passed away April 17, 2021 at the age of 84.
Joe leaves behind his wife of 58 years Caren (nee Cristofoli), daughters Kathy (John Dando) and Lorraine (Philip Gerard), siblings Florence, Bill (Peggy) and Jim (Kerrin), brother-in-law Richard (Arlene) Cristofoli and sister-in-law Linda Cristofoli, and adored nephews and nieces.
Joe was born in Victoria in 1936. He began his career with summer jobs on survey crews working around the province and eventually working for the Department of Highways in the Kootenays. He found himself acting as engineer on several highway construction projects in the Castlegar area, where he met his future wife Caren who was working in the post office.
Joe and Caren were married in 1963 and moved to Nanaimo where Joe had secured a job with the City. For 32 years, Joe surveyed and drew up plans of roads, properties and infrastructure as the municipality grew.
His family heard nightly stories about working in heavy traffic, descending into manholes, slashing through blackberry bushes, rolling down hills, stepping in wasp nests and more.
Joe served on the executive of the municipal workers union, as it organized a growing number of public employees in the area in the 1970s.
Joe was a devoted and loving husband and father. He was quiet and generous. He loved to laugh. He was a gardener, woodworker and stamp collector. He enjoyed family road trip holidays around B.C. and later down the U.S. west coast and across Canada with Caren.
A series of health problems robbed Joe of these pleasures in most recent years. His family wishes to thank the staff at Trillium Lodge in Parksville for their tender care of this dear man, when he could no longer be cared for at home.
Donations in Joe's memory can be made to Parkinson Canada.