With great sadness, we said goodbye to James Joseph, born and raised in Dublin.

 

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Kathleen; son Tony (Dorothea); daughter Adele (Chris); his 5 grandchildren; siblings, Paul (Angela), Peter (Fran), Joan and Ann; as well as many other family members strewn around the globe. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and James; and his sister Mary (Dermot)

 

He was a traveller at heart, bringing his family across several continents. His work also took him to many places where he loved experiencing and embracing different cultures. He enjoyed authentic experiences, and meeting “characters” that enriched his life. He was never short of a story and would regale others with tales of places he worked, experiences he encountered and the many interesting people he met on his journeys. 

​

As a young man he and Kathleen came to Winnipeg, Canada, for their first adventure. They returned to Ireland after a few years, before eventually moving to warmer climates in Africa. In his retirement he returned to Winnipeg where he spent the last chapter of his life. 

 

Of course, none of his travelling adventures or lifestyle would have been possible without the ongoing support and incredible strength of his loving wife Kathleen, truly his “rock”.

 

He beat cancer once several years ago, but it returned. The staff and teams at St. Boniface Hospital and at Riverview Health Centre were absolutely fantastic even as the powerful storm of the Covid-19 Omicron variant washed around them. We are truly grateful to live in a country where medical care is community funded and community based.

 

In accordance with his wishes, a simple cremation service has taken place and a small celebration of his life will occur once Omicron subsides. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that any remembrances be via private donation to any hospital research foundation, cancer research or palliative care facility.  

 

He walked his own path, often taking the unusual or rarely taken steps. He lived his life his way, right to the end.