Joe passed away on Tuesday March 12, 2019. He was born on July 14, 1933 at the homestead ‘Waterfoot’ (by a midwife and Dr.Joseph Phillip) near Toomebridge in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. Being close to the shores of the Lough Neagh, childhood life at the Waterfoot provided very fond summertime memories for all his siblings and cousins. As a young man, he delivered mail by bicycle around the countryside. A lovely gal in Lisnahuncheon, Catherine McAleese, caught his eye and he would ride 22km on his bicycle to see her. They married on May 9, 1956 and on the same day, boarded a boat and emigrated to Canada leaving behind their parents and 10 siblings each! Joe and Cathy lived in North Vancouver and in Seton Portage (the back of beyond), working on the railway as a labourer/blaster, before moving to Cranbrook, BC in 1962.
Joe spent most of his working years with Alberta Natural Gas in Cranbrook. His personal enjoyment in understanding centrifugal compressors and jet engines eventually promoted him to Pipeline Superintendent in 1987 before retiring in January 1991 after 28 years of service.

Joe was a Contract Bridge enthusiast who ran the Bridge Club in Cranbrook during the 1970’s and 80’s and achieved Life Master. He was an avid golfer and member of the Cranbrook Golf Club for many years and enjoyed dances, music, harmonica playing and had an incredible memory of many Irish ballads and poems. He also rode his bicycle around town until 81 years of age.

He was predeceased by his wife Cathy, parents John and Ellen Walls, sisters Mary Jo (Baby), Teresa (T), Betty, Kay, and Mona, and brothers Tom, Harry, Frank, Peter and Pat.

Joe is fondly remembered by his sons Philip, Garry (Lisa), and Mike (Shauna), four grandchildren Chad (Brittney), Alex, Erin (Tyler), Nolan (Sharnell), and great granddaughters Peyton and Mckinley, sisters-in-laws Pat Walls, Helen Walls, Christina McAleese, Kathleen McAleese, and Mary McAleese, brothers-in-law Felix Mackle and Frank (Kathleen) McAleese, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe’s wry wit, sense of humour and his way of saying things, in a meaningful way, will be greatly missed by all who knew him including his most recent group of friends at Joseph Creek Village.

There will be a funeral mass, St Mary’s Catholic Church in Cranbrook, Friday March 22nd at 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made to Trails Society of British Columbia 1247 Charter Hill Drive, Coquitlam BC V3E 1P1