Joseph Nicholas Vanderzwan lost his battle with Multiple Myeloma at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia on January 20th, 2019. Joe loved life and was very active until he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in May 2015 and then sitting and watching his favorite shows became a routine as he was slowed down by the medications he took to keep him in remission.
By his side was his wife Wanda, stepsons; Jeremy & Josh Corbett, his brothers; Adrian & Ron / wife Susan as well as Dr. Linda Wilson.
Joe was loved by many for the kind and gentle man he was. There wasn’t anyone who didn’t like interacting with Joe and would specifically ask for him on more than one occasion. He was considered a mentor by many people he worked with and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Joe considered himself a husband first and will be sorely missed by his wife Wanda. He was also a wonderful stepfather to Jeremy and Josh Corbett with whom he shared many a laugh and they always knew that they could call on him and he would be right there. He was a brother/son who tried to remember every birthday and anniversary as well as holidays to call those he loved and would be full of well wishes.
Joe loved hunting, fishing, and golfing. He was happy to do any of these activities on any occasion he could. He also loved heading out to the cabin and helping Rick Girard fix things up or just chop wood. Joe was an outdoorsman and that is what helped him choose Forestry as a profession. He worked hard at getting his designation in the Registered Professional Foresters Association and was proud of the accomplishment as were those who were cheering him on from the sidelines.
Joe loved working in engineering more than anything and continued on to get his designation even though it didn’t change a thing. It was something he started and wanted to finish simply because he started a goal.
Joe was a business partner at DWB Consulting Ltd. who took his role as a partner seriously. He wanted to be the person that everyone knew they could count on and he was just that. Mentor, friend, confidant, business partner, and the person everyone knew they could talk a problem over with and he would listen without judgement and try to help in any way he could. His laugh was memorable and he often lightened a heavy load just by listening, laughing, and tried his best to always be helpful if he thought he could and just listened when he knew he couldn’t.
Joe had many brothers and sisters. Gerardina (Brian-deceased) Jeffares, of Grande Prairie, Mary (John) Kammerer, of Red Deer; brothers: John (Cindi) of Humbolt, SK, Adrian (Jan) of Valemount, BC, Thomas (Wanda) of Regina, SK, Ronald (Susan) of Clearwater, BC; nineteen nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces/nephews.
Joseph was predeceased by his mom, Gertrude on May 18, 2011, and was also predeceased by his dad, William, November 29, 2010. A service was held at College Heights Community Centre and officiated by Father Chris.
He was loved more than he could ever realize and his passing leaves a giant hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Husband, dad, son, brother, partner, mentor, friend, nephew, cousin, uncle, confidante, hunter, fisher, and golfer were all words we could use to describe Joe.
Rest in Peace Joey Bear, you will forever be in our hearts and you were one of a kind.
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