Edward Joseph (Joe) Latremouille was born May 17, 1921, in Mount Olie (Little Fort), delivered by his grandmother, Vitaline. He passed away peacefully in Kamloops, on October 25, 2005.
Joe was pre-deceased by his brothers Louis (August 2005) and Glen (September 2002) and his sister-in-law, Tiny (September 1998).
Joe is survived by his wife of 62 years, Denise; his sons: Roy (Veronica) of Edson, Alberta; Gary (Germaine) of Kamloops; Adrian of Kelowna; his daughter Joanne (Robert) Fennell of Kamloops; his grandchildren Anita, Neal (Amy), Lorretta, Joseph and Bruce; Robin (Sheilah) and Darcy; Tanya (Gerry), Nathan and Brenda; his great-grandchildren Rebecca, Bradley, Sara, Paige, Leah, Amber and Robbie.
He is also survived by his brothers: Albert of Revelstoke; Bob (Carol) of Red Deer; his sisters: Agnes Goss of Okanogan, Washington and Lyda (John) Eastman of Stony Plain, Alberta; his sisters-in-law Julieta of Kamloops and Gertrude of Merritt.
Joe grew up in Little Fort near the love of his life, Denise. They were married on February 4, 1943 and moved to Kamloops.
Joe started working for the CNR in 1943 and eventually became a Carman. He was involved with the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America as a Financial Secretary for many years.
When he retired in 1981 he became involved in setting up the local chapter of the CN Pensioners’ Association.
He took up model railroading as a hobby, then got involved in building the miniature railway at the BC Wildlife Park.
He kept busy in his retirement years with the Kamloops Seniors’ Curling Club, and playing in the Sagebrush Pioneers band, and then the Rythm Mountaineers.
As a family man, Joe was known as someone who worked hard and played hard. He was often seen out on Pine Street after supper playing games with the neighbourhood kids.
He took the neighbourhood kids out to skating ponds around Kamloops, and also flooded the skating rink at Lloyd George School so that the Pine Street hockey players could play all winter.
As grandchildren came along, he encouraged family camping trips, motorcycle rides, inner tubing, skidooing and anything else that got the family laughing together.
Many stories (not all true) were told around the campfires in summer and winter.
Music played a large role in Joe’s life, from playing in family bands as a teenager through to his adulthood playing with brothers and cousins.
Joe was a true gentleman - his gentle manner drew people to him. He treated everyone with respect, and he was a good listener. In a family gathering, Joe could be found talking and listening to anyone feeling unwelcome or shy - his kindness to others made him well loved by all his extended family.
The family would like to thank Trudy for her loving care of Joe during the past few years. Also the Ponderosa Lodge Respite Hotel and Transition Ward for their care during Joe’s last few weeks.
Prayers were recited on Friday, October 28, 2005 at the Schoening Funeral Chapel.
The Reverend Father Peter Nguyen celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 29 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
In memory of Joe, donations to the Overlander Extended Care Hospital Memorial Fund, 953 Southill Street, Kamloops, BC, V2B 7Z9 would be appreciated.