Wilcox - Nanaimo, B.C., Joseph Eldon Wilcox died 29th February, 2008, of cancer after a long & difficult struggle.
Born 19th February, 1925 in Ernfold Sask., he grew up on the prairie until age 10 yrs., and then in Rossland/Trail B.C. In 1950, he moved his wife and daughter to Nanaimo after a wartime stint in the RCAF followed by 5 years working at the Cominco smelter. Joe worked on construction with his Dad, helping to build several of the coastal mills before accepting an apprenticeship in Instrumentation at Harmac, followed by a full time position in the instrumentation department at Crofton, where he retired as its foreman after 30+ years in 1988.
Retirement for Joe was yet another career choice: he formed a company with a colleague and dear friend (Ed Shepperd) to sell commercial instrumentation and install gas fireplaces before working full time at designing and selling modular homes in a park co-owned, again, with long-time friends (Gerry & Anne Olenik). He took time out from this last venture in August 2007 to “fight the fight of his life”.
Joe had also, for years, volunteered his time to the Lions Club, St. Anne’s convent, Boy Scouts, and coaching (softball & curling). He loved to sing & dance, travel, he curled, and belonged to the Nanaimo Golf Club for many years; he won many trophies for golf & curling. He loved his family and his many friends to whom he was so loyal. He loved life and he loved people. We shall miss his smile, magical charm, witty sense of humour, and his trait of helping just anyone who would ask him!
He is pre-deceased by his wife of 62 yrs. (Evelyn, passed in July ‘07), and survived by his loving family: sister Lorna Rickerby (Jack), daughter Marlane Paquin (Guy-Réjean), grandson André Paquin (Shelby) and great grand-daughters Lylah & Aejah, nephew Ron Guild (Tricia), niece Betty Guild (pre-deceased Larry), and many cousins, great nephews and great nieces.
Memorial services will be held at the Sands Funeral Chapel, 1 Newcastle Ave., Nanaimo B.C. on 29th March at 1:00 pm. (Graveside prayers at 10:30 am at the Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens at 2347 Cedar Road.)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the NRGH Palliative Care unit or Cancer Foundations.