Joseph Boutilier

Joseph Allan Boutilier (Joe) was born September 7, 1945 in Regina, Saskatchewan. He died, October 24th, 2017 after a brief struggle with cancer. Joe was the son of Roy and Elaine Boutilier and was the 2nd youngest of 4 brothers. Joe grew up in Regina but spent summers in the Abernethy area with his Grandpa Symington, working for local farmers, breaking horses, and enjoying the Katepwa area.

Joe joined the navy in 1963 and explored many ports of call including Honolulu, Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur. On joining the Navy, he first worked as a cook and later transferred into the administration branch, and later worked within both the Army and Airforce. Having known each other as children through family friends, Joe was re-introduced to Joanne Barnsley in January of 1965, and they were married in February of 1968. Joe and Joanne had a daughter, Leann & Son, Darin.

Upon leaving the Armed Forces in 1977, Joe opened the radio station (CJNS) in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, where the family lived until 1987. During that time, Joe also was owner/operator of Westside Service Groceries, Confectionary & Gas. In the spring of 1987, Joe, Joanne & Darin left for warmer climates and moved to Kelowna, BC. Joe opened a jewellery store here, called Westside Jewellers. He also worked in radio, (SILK FM) in Kelowna, and worked in Media Relations for the Westbank Indian Band then later joined the Westcoast Lumber Jack show as the Master of Ceremonies, where he travelled throughout Canada and also learned chainsaw carving, creating many beautiful sculptures from logs. Upon Joanne’s retirement they moved back to Katepwa Lake in 2006.

Joe sat on town council in Meadow Lake as an Alderman, was heavily involved in the Chamber of Commerce in Westbank and enjoyed contributing to and being part of growing whatever community he lived in, his motto was “always leave it better than how you found it”. Joe received multiple community service awards over the years including Citizen of the Year from the city of Westbank. In 1993, he traveled with the MP from Kelowna, Al Horning, and a group of dignitaries from Ottawa to Turkey and Greece, where they were instrumental in assisting the Canadian troops in being released from Peacekeeping duty. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, golfing, and spending time with his family, most especially his 5 grandkids. In the last few years, Joe and Joanne enjoyed travelling to Arizona where they re-connected with old friends and made some wonderful new ones. It was here that Joe learned to create stained glass, which has become a favoured hobby in the past few years.

Joe was previously deceased by parents, Roy and Elaine and brother Bert. Survived by, loving wife, Joanne; daughter, Leann Finlay (Bob), Grandson’s Aaron and Tyler; son, Darin Boutilier and Grand-children, Alexis, Taiya, Paige, Allie and Jordon; brothers, Jack and Don; niece, Jennifer, nephews Glen and Wayne and many close friends.

Celebration of Life to be held at Knox United Church, Abernethy, Saskatchewan, November 4th, 2017 at 2pm. Reception to follow at the Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Indian Head and District Hospital Foundation - Palliative Care, Box 1547, Indian Head, Sk., S0G 2K0. Thank you to Dr. B. Zimmerman, Dr. Nourian, and the wonderful nurses at the Indian Head Union Hospital, as well as Dr.’s Iqbal and Tai and the nursing staff at the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic for your care of Joe over the past 6 months.

Family flower arrangement by Sherry’s on Grand, Indian Head.

Words that come to mind for Joe:

FAMILY, LOVING, FRIEND, COURAGEOUS

Arrangements in care of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services

1-800-667-8962