Josef was born Jan. 7, 1940 to Alois and Thresia Steinklaeubl in Graz, Austria. He passed away from cancer, at home as he wished, on April 28, 2015 at the age of 75 years.
Joe was predeceased by his parents; brother Alois; former wife Ann Marie; sister-in-law Gertie and brother-in-law Freidl.
He leaves to mourn, Pearl his wife of 45 years; son Dieter (Gaby); grandson Robin (Sonja), granddaughter Jenna (Markus) and great grandsons; Sam Louis and Anton as well as sister Thresia; sisters-in-law; Elsie, Rose (Peter) and Diana as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
After school Joe spent the mandatory one year in the army in Austria. He believed all young men would benefit from this training.
He then started as an apprentice in retail sales in his brother’s grocery store. Later he worked for the post office and ran his own grocery store and disco.
Josef came to Canada in 1968, did construction and retail sales in cars, vacuums, real estate and made and sold his own fishing plugs.
He married Pearl in 1970. They lived in Edmonton, Red Deer, Prince George and Kelowna.
Joe was definitely an entrepreneur! He always had to know what was around the next corner to see and experience.
He enjoyed hunting, the outdoors and loved fishing and camping.
Joe was definitely addicted to computers. He kept in touch with facebook. Hours were spent happily listening to Andre Rieu’s and Austrian music concerts.
After they moved to the farm in Joe Riche (near Kelowna), he and Pearl—always a team—raised hunting hounds, security dogs, emus, ostriches, horses, goats and chickens. They made and sold a line of emu oil products.
The wonderful people of Salmon Arm and afar, who have been so caring and supportive, are just too many to name. You know who you are.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Church, 450 Okanagan Avenue SE, Salmon Arm, BC.
Arrangements entrusted to Fischer’s Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Salmon Arm (250) 833-1129. Email condolences and share memories of Josef through his obituary at www.fischersfuneralservices.com.