DESMOND, JOSEPH K.
1937 - 2015
It is with deep sadness that the Desmond family announce the death of a beloved brother, Joseph Kevin, on February 12 at his home in Green Valley, Arizona.
Joe was predeceased by his wife, Arlene (Roper), his parents Timothy (Ted) and Elizabeth (Whelly), brothers Brian, Lawrence, Vincent and infant brothers James and Terrance. He is survived by his daughter Darla (Tom) Stark, his sister Elizabeth (Bud) Cann, brother Bernard (Joan), sister-in-law Ann (Vincent) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was educated in city schools and then moved to Edmonton, Alberta in 1958. He became a raw fur buyer for the Hudson’s Bay Company, travelling in the Yukon, North West Territories and Ontario. He retired in 1998.
Joe and Arlene cared for mentally and physically disabled people in their own home for many years until they could no longer care for them.
As a sports enthusiast, Joe played basketball, football, golfed and skied and enjoyed hunting with a bow and arrow. He competed in the Vancouver marathon and A number of triathlons which included canoeing, biking and running.
Joe loved company and entertaining and had a wide circle of friends in Edmonton, Green Valley and Ontario where he had his summer cottage on Lake Superior.
A funeral mass was offered in Green Valley and a memorial mass will be offered in August in Ontario at the time of interment.
Our family is forever grateful to his devoted and faithful caregiver, Polly (Juan Candita) for her many years of outstanding and exceptional care for Joe.
In Joe’s memory donations may be made to the ALS (Lou Gehrig) Society or a charity of a donor’s choice.