A man of few spoken words, but a man who spoke volumes through his accordion music; a man who loved his family first and foremost - the same man whose family lovingly and proudly shared him with thousands of friends and strangers; a man that honestly earned the right to be proud of his talent - but a man that was always very humble in its delivery; a man who, because of his special gift, will live forever.

It is with a sense of sadness and loss that the family of John Joe Pidgeon of Marystown announces his passing at the U.S. Memorial Health Care Center in St. Lawrence, on Thursday, August 14, 2014, at the age of 81 years. It is also with a sense of joy and happiness that we were blessed with the opportunity to love him as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, while at the same time witnessing the community affection for him as a musician who so willingly shared his love and passion for music.

Left with joyful memories are his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth; sister, Mary Matthews (Clarence House); sons, Joseph (Brenda) and Richard; daughters, Julia (Ray) Mitchell, Charlotte Mitchell (Tony Mayo), Catherine (Brendan) Pretty, Ella Jackson (Dennis George), Jackie (Steve) Flannigan, Maureen (Albert) Linehan, Agnes, Barbara Fitzpatrick (Deena King), Marguerite (Randy) Smith, Velma (Randy) Parsons and Linda (Darryl) Hodder; sisters-in-law, Alice (Ernest) Farrell, Kathleen (Howard) Dober and Beatrice Barry, 26 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren and so many others who loved and respected him.

The angels have put down their harps and are clapping their hands to some of the finest accordion music ever heard. There is a kitchen party in heaven with all those loved ones who have gone before him, including his parents, Mickey Joe and Julia Pidgeon; brother, Ocius; sister, Josephine Hollett; baby daughter, Josephine; father-in-Law, Jim Joe Brushett; mother-in-law, Alice (Mallay) Brushett; step mother-in-law, Ann (Brake) Brushett; sisters-in-law, Julia Brake and Selena Farrell; brother-in-law, Jim Joe Brushett Jr., along with many friends and other family members that were so much a part of who he was.

The Mass of Christian Burial took place on Monday, August 18, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Marystown, at 10:30 a.m. Interment followed at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery in Marystown. In John Joe’s memory donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Newfoundland and Labrador or flowers gratefully accepted.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Wiseman’s Funeral Homes – Marystown.
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