Saturday, November 16, 2019
My condolences to Merle, and Joe's extended family, at this very sad time. Joe was a colleague and friend for a long time, and it's hard to believe that he is no longer with us. Big, strong, solid, and a pretty sweet guy -- couldn't help but just assume he would be here forever. I met Joe when he joined the Fish Culture Section, and I worked with him on what I think was his first field project -- kokanee egg collection station on the upper Shuswap River above Mabel Lake. It was an assignment from hell (weather and working conditions) but Joe exhibited true leadership by getting on with the job with quiet confidence in himself and his crew. Then I really got to know him well when I transferred to the Kootenay Trout Hatchery in 1972, where he and Alice made me and my family welcome and part of the local community. And I got to know him all over again when he was cooking at Top Camp and I was on a guided elk hunt, fall of 2006 I think it was. His cooking, sense of humor, and strong work ethic all contributed to a very memorable hunt of a lifetime. He is sorely missed.
Neil Todd, Merritt, BC
