JOE
(JOHN LEVITT) MUIRHEAD
With the love of his life by his side, Joe
went peacefully to his eternal rest on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the
Health Sciences Centre at the age of 83 years.
Joe is lovingly remembered and missed by his
wife of 62 years, Joie (Josephine); sons, Keith (Gwynneth Gourley), Levitt
(Sharon Doerksen), Don (Sherry); daughters, Marnie (Dean Hargreaves),
Kathleen (John Potter); grandchildren, Peter, Abbey, Adam; and
daughter-in-law, Ginny. He is also survived by two sisters, Jean Hartley and
Marilyn Sawchuk; two sisters-in-law, Edith Muirhead and Lynda Muirhead; and
many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Paul; sisters, Betty and
Gwen; and brothers, Colin and Don.
Joe was
born on October 28, 1930 in Cobalt, Ontario to Byron and Mary Muirhead. He grew up in Duparquet, Quebec where he
married Joie and started a family. The family first moved to Chibougamau,
Quebec, and then in 1964, to Lynn Lake, Manitoba where he worked for Sherritt
Gordon Mines as the Plant Superintendent of Electrical Services. While in Lynn
Lake, Joe served on the school board and was a member of the Lions Club. In
1986, he retired and moved to Winnipeg where he was a faithful parishioner at
St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church. Joe became the neighbourhood maintenance man,
willing to offer assistance and friendship to residents on Minto and Goulding
Streets. He spent summers in the garden, nurturing his beloved tomato plants
and then sharing the fruit of the harvest. Joe made friends easily, and when
they moved to Hillsboro House, they quickly developed another social network.
Tim Hortons became his favourite watering hole, and he braved wind chill
warnings and stormy weather to meet his friends there. Joe expanded his
horizons, as well, travelling to Italy and discovering the pleasure of ocean
cruises in the Caribbean and Alaska. He was so looking forward to a vacation in
Punta Cana this February.
Above all, Joe was proud of and devoted to his
family. With Joie, he visited their children around the globe in the many
places they've made their homes: New Zealand, the United
Kingdom, Nevada, Bahrain, and France. His work at fishing lodges on
Reindeer Lake allowed him to take his sons on fishing trips; later, Joe enjoyed
more tranquil hours on Paint Lake. At home, he was a gracious host, preparing
feasts with Joie, inviting family and friends alike for evenings of food and
drink, laughter and entertaining stories. There was always room for one more
chair at the table and time for one more joke. In later years, Joe faced
health challenges with tenacity. He knew when to fight and when to surrender,
and he courageously guided his family in difficult times. He will be dearly
missed.
Prayers will be held on Wednesday,
September 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, 271
Hampton Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday,
September 18, 2014 also in the Church at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Ceas
Chmiel presiding. After Mass, a reception will be held in Portage Avenue Mennonite
Brethren Church, 1420 Portage Avenue.
The family extends their gratitude to the
staff of GH5 at the Health Sciences Centre for their kind and
compassionate care of Joe (John) and their support of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory
may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 1160 - 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
R3E 0V9 or The CNIB, 1080 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3M3.
Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel &
Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665, is in care of arrangements.
wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Wojcik’s
FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
2157 PORTAGE AVENUE
204 – 897 - 4665
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
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