Joseph "Joe" James Robillard

Joseph James Robillard (Joe) was born May 18th, 1933, near Lebret, Saskatchewan to John Baptiste Robillard and Bella Swartz.

In his early years, he moved to Weyburn Saskatchewan and began working as a painter at the Weyburn Mental Hospital. There he met the love of his life, Ane Lima. In 1954 Joe and Ane were married in Weyburn and started their family. Two sons, George Robillard and Earl Robillard were born followed by their daughter Patricia.

Together Joe and Ane were very active in the community throughout the years. Joe coached Minor Ball and Pee Wee hockey while the boys were young. He was the President of the Weyburn Canadian Fastball Team and enjoyed a Canadian Championship win with the team “Jersey Joe” was a member of the Hospital Boxing club and won many fights as a boxer. In the 70s, Joe and Ane participated in the Weyburn Bowling League. When the local radio station required a sports commentator, Joe volunteered and covered boxing matches as well as curling games on the air. Joe retired in June 1987 from the Weyburn Mental Hospital after 35 years of service. He was fortunate to enjoy a longer retirement than his working years! During this time, Joe and Ane continued to entertain family and friends at their home as they so loved to do so. He was a curler and huge supporter of the Weyburn Curling Club with his wife, Ane. He won several trophies including a Senior Curling Championship with the Elks Club where he was a member. He also served on the Royal Canadian Legion Board, Weyburn Branch. He remained an active outdoor sportsman deer hunting and taking many trips up to Northern Saskatchewan with family and friends fishing for Northern Pike. Other than community events, Joe and Ane travelled to Acapulco, MX, Hawaii, USA, & Comox, BC to visit their daughter, Patricia. In their retirement years, they became “snowbirds” and enjoyed several long winter stays with their son, Earl Robillard in Los Angeles, California. A lifelong passion of Joe’s was playing his violin. In the early years, he travelled with Larry Phillips and Johnny Kwochka to old time dances and various events in Southern Saskatchewan. He continued to play into his 70s and 80s at the Lutheran church as well as Hill Top Manor in Weyburn, SK. where he resided for the last three years. Undoubtedly, Joe had a Life Well Lived!

He will be dearly missed by his wife Ane Robillard, his family and many friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, John Baptiste Robillard and Bella Swartz; brothers John Robillard and Lawrence Robillard; sister-in-law Paulette Robillard; brothers-in-law, Adelelore Richard and Larry Reichel.

Left to mourn Joes’ passing is his wife, Ane Robillard; brothers, Albert (Ruth) Robillard of Regina, SK.; Wilbert Robillard of Regina, SK.; sisters, Lillian Richard of Saskatoon, SK., Marjorie Reichel of Saskatoon, SK.; Rosella Robillard of Saskatoon, SK.; sons, George (Marianne Skolnik) Robillard of Weyburn, SK., and Earl Robillard of Los Angeles, California, USA; daughter, Patricia (Mark Vandervoort) of Comox, B.C.; grandson, granddaughters and great grandchildren, Scott (Rachel) Robillard and Teller Robillard of Weyburn, SK.; Ryan (Sienna) Robillard and Liev, Kline and Vey Robillard of Summerland, B.C.; Derek Robillard of Nanaimo B.C.; Allan (Arran) Koch and Cassius and Darrow Koch of Cumberland, B.C. and Dawn (Jr.) Lawrence and Owen and Levi Lawrence of Nampa, Alberta as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

A Funeral Service took place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 2:00 PM from the Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Pastor Victoria Mwamasika officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

Donations in memory of Joe made to the Zion Lutheran Church 504 Windsor St, Weyburn, Saskatchewan S4H 0W9