Joseph Edward Macbeth

He was born in Calgary, Alberta, the second child of Joseph and Nell Macbeth. For a time, he grew up in Scotland before moving back to Canada where, aside from his many travels abroad, he would build his life. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lois Macbeth, their daughter Dia, (Jay), grandchildren Rena, (Jonathan), and Zachary as well as a great many friends and extended family.

Joseph led a colourful and full life. When he was young he spent several treasured years in Northern Canada spending time in, among others, Inuvik, Gunner Mines, Yellowknife, and Uranium City. Joe was well loved by any community in which he settled. If you had been there, you might have seen Joe take up curling, and take to it like a hot damn. Of course, he would later win the Alberta Masters with those skills. You might have seen him being picked up by the local RCMP in a paddy wagon. Of course this was only so they could bring him over to their weekly poker game. You might have seen him being tackled and rolled into a ditch by a lovely young woman in want of his rum. Of course, this is how he met his wife, and they just kept on rolling from there.

Lois and Joe had many adventures. They traveled the North together, and the world, but the best adventure of all was born to them in Uranium City. Dia was a beautiful baby, and Joe just thought she was best thing in the world.

By the time she was a small child, Joe had already worn many hats. He had been a mine caretaker and a cafe owner, and then he found himself working in the Edmonton drywall industry. Consolidated Gypsum became Joe’s second child. He nurtured his business and grew it and eventually with a few partners, he proudly bought and owned it. Joe stayed on with Consolidated Gypsum well past the age of retirement until he and Lois evolved into snowbirds, and began spending the cold Spruce Grove winters at Indian Palms Golf Course in California.

Joe loved spending his winters down south. As was typical for him in every facet of his life, he was quick to make friends, and he and Lois were adored in the community. For several winters, Joe and Lois hobnobbed and golfed in the sunshine. They returned to Spruce Grove in the summers, where Joe would follow the Boston Red Sox through the baseball season.

Ever since he was a child, Joe was an ardent supporter of the Boston Red Sox, and his impact can be measured among those he has converted. His daughter, grandchildren, and nearly all of Lois’s extended family can be found just about any summer night screaming at their TV’s watching Boston at bat.

Aside from this legacy, what will live on through his family, friends, and close to everyone Joe ever came into contact with was his unbridled openness. It was difficult to disappoint Joe, he gave everyone a chance and then a second chance if they needed it. He was kindhearted and ready to embrace you with open arms, because he assumed your intentions were good. In his memory, may we all strive to be just that much more gracious, that much more neighbourly, and that much more generous with our chances, and the people to whom we might give them.