Joe was a true independent thinker and free spirit. He was a traveler and outdoor enthusiast, hitch-hiking across North America in his youth and dreaming of backcountry living in Northern Ontario well into his older age. He was an early pioneer of tiny, minimalist living since the early 1990s, as an ingenious and resilient response to the housing crisis of our time. He also worked in the sheet music and construction industries, primarily in and around Vancouver and Toronto, before formally retiring in his 50s. His final unofficial project was teaching his daughter Alison and son-in-law Kevin about home renovations in the summer of 2020.
Joe was also a talented writer and musician. He leaves behind a legacy of hundreds of original essays and poems, as well as more than ten full-length albums of blues, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll. His collection of musical instruments, recording equipment, craftsman’s tools, DVDs, and non-fiction books of all sorts, are a reminder of Joe’s eclectic interests and full life. He leaves all this, and more, in the capsule of his life’s work: the 424 sq. ft. tiny home he built and lived in.
Joe joins his parents, Marcel and Lucy Moreau (née Robitaille), as well as some extended family, friends, and cherished pets, in discovering whatever comes next… He would, no doubt, enjoy the adventure of it all. He is loved, and missed, by his daughter Alison and son-in-law Kevin, his daughter’s mother Louanne, and his siblings Renee, Michelle, Victor, Roger, Leonard, Eric, Marcella, Daniel, Catherine, and Gabrielle, as well as his numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
A small family cremation service has been held, and a Celebration of Life will take place this summer once the family can again meet safely, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. For those interested, a small selection of his music is available here:
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