Joseph Francis
DiGeorgio (Joe)
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Joe. Joe was born in Fernie, BC on April 2, 1932 to parents Rosina and Genaro DiGeorgio. Joe peacefully entered into rest with his loving family by his side on March 5, 2011 at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital at the age of 78 years.
Joe is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pat Meadows, 3 stepdaughters: Brenda (Doug) Temple, Shelley Robertson, and Theresa (Lee) VanLoon, his stepson Doug Meadows, 7 grandchildren: Lisa-Marie (Ryan) Sweezer, Tyler (Alisha) Temple, Darcy Hutchinson, Dawson Hutchinson, Leanne (Mike) VanLoon, Ben VanLoon, and Bonnie (Wayne) Weimer, and 5 great grandchildren: Dakota and Rylund Sweezer, Kaydence VanLoon, and Landon and Blake Weimer. He is also survived by 2 brothers: Albert and John DiGeorgio, and nieces Candy (Peter) Reghenas, Collen (Gerry) Powel, and Diane (Lanny) Kniert as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, his son Joseph DiGeorgio Jr. (Little Joe), his brother John DiGeorgio, 3 uncles: John, Tony, and Vince DiGeorgio, and 3 aunts: Angie Wolfe, and Teresa and Mary Romano.
Joe left school to work in the Coal Creek Mine until it closed in 1958. He then found work in the bush where he ran equipment. He also drove truck for Steve Servello and later worked for Byron Creek until his retirement.
Joe grew up in Fernie and enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing hockey and learning to ride horses. He was a true Fernieite.
He played hockey for the Fernie Rangers and was known as the Rocket. Joe spent many hours teaching his son Joey and his grandchildren how to play the game. He would attend hockey practices and games and cheer them on. Joe’s true passion was horses. He enjoyed buying, selling and dickering over horses. He would spend many hours at the farm working with them. He spent most of his time teaching his grandchildren how to ride. He spent his summers trucking them to gymkana and cattle penning. Joe loved spending time with his family and was always there to help where needed, give advice, unconditional love and to lend support and encouragement. He will be forever loved and dearly missed.
Prayers were held at Holy Family Catholic Church on March 10, 2011. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday March 11, 2011 with Father Bart van Roijen, Celebrant. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Heart & Stoke Foundation or to the BC Lung Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.