Joseph "Joe" Schneider

It is with great sadness that the family of Joe Schneider announce his passing on October 18, 2022, following a brief struggle with cancer. Joe passed peacefully in the Palliative Care unit at St. Paul’s Hospital with his family by his side.

Joe is survived by his children, son Michael (Sherri), daughter Arlene Sproule (Steve), daughter Donna Schneider (Cam Alexander), and son Tim (Val); grandchildren Christopher Sproule (Ashley Tonsaker), Dale Daratha (Caitlin Windrim), Mark Daratha (Danielle Robertson), Amy Daratha, Kyle Daratha, Emerald (Josh Tayapad), and Nicholas Schneider; sister Elma Knelson of Ladysmith, BC, brothers Hubert (Emma), and Eugene (Darlene) of Saskatoon, SK, sisters-in-law Verda Schneider of Campbell River, BC, and Mary Schneider of Edmonton, Alberta; numerous nieces and nephews; and the father of Donna’s children, Wayne Daratha.

Joe was predeceased by his infant son Patrick James, his wife of 59 years Mary Alice, parents August and Mary Schneider, twin sister Josie Gaboury, brothers Gus, Clem, and Nick Schneider, and sister Mary Novlan.

Joe was one of nine children born and raised on the family farm outside St. Walburg, Saskatchewan. Following high school he worked various jobs, including positions with the Department of Highways. It was while working in Regina that he met his future wife, Alice Conway. The two married in 1957 and together raised two sons and two daughters.

Joe became an Air Traffic Controller in the early 1960’s and his career took him and his family from Regina to the Maritimes and back between 1963 and 1966. The family then moved to Winnipeg briefly before settling in Saskatoon in 1969. While working in Goose Bay, Labrador, the close proximity of the US Airforce Base allowed Joe to learn to manage military air traffic using vectors, knowledge he later passed on to controllers in Regina allowing them to manage the Canadian Snow Birds out of Moose Jaw.

Joe worked in the radar room at the Saskatoon Airport until his retirement in 1988. In the early 1970’s Saskatoon was considered one of the busiest airports in Canada due to the large amount of Trans-Canada flights managed by the Saskatoon radar controllers. In the mid 1970’s, Joe’s career took him back to Winnipeg for two months where he trained air traffic controllers from Africa. Two of his students ultimately came to Saskatoon and worked in the control tower.

Following his retirement, Joe put his accounting training to work and prepared personal income tax returns for numerous clients, family, and friends. He loved cooking, barbecued a mean steak, made an excellent pie crust, and enjoyed working in his garden. Joe was an avid curler in his day, and a Blue Jays and Riders fan. He loved to sing, and was a member of the Georges Vanier Singers long past the days when his children attended the school.

Joe became a Grandpa in 1993 and was famous among his grandchildren for his big hugs. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and was very proud of them.

After Alice passed, Joe moved to Trinity Manor, where he had many friends. He enjoyed playing cards, watching Rider games in the Bistro, and trips to the Dakota Dunes Casino.

Joe’s family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the caring staff of the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital for making Dad’s final days comfortable.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church (217 Lenore Drive Saskatoon), followed by a private interment at St. John’s Columbarium. Arrangements entrusted to Travis Minor.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society in Joe’s memory.