Joe Luby was surrounded by his loving family as he passed peacefully at the TBRHSC on Tuesday April 24, 2018, at the age of 66. That day we lost our rock, our Tato, our GiGi, our brother, our uncle & our friend.
Joe was born in Fort William. He attended Drew Street, McKellar, Churchill & Westgate Schools. He graduated from Confederation College. Growing up in the 70’s with his brothers, he loved to go fishing and he could never turn down a good road trip. Joe married the love of his life, Karen Elms, in 1986. In their 20 years of marriage Joe worked hard at Great Lakes Paper Mill to provide for his family. Together they raised 3 sons. After the passing of his wife in 2006, he continued to raise 3 teenaged boys on his own.
Anyone that knew Joe or “chicken Eating Joe” as he was known as at work knew that he was the most caring and giving man. He was always helping a friend with projects, bringing over a newspaper or food. Joe always gave us a birthday card with a lottery ticket in it every year. And he always wanted to know if it was a winner or not after you checked it. He always said if he won the lottery he would share it with his boys and his Family. He truly was a selfless man. Joe was accepting of everyone in his life. He was very proud of his Ukrainian culture and his spirituality. He always had time to visit friends and family. Even if it were for a coffee, to drop off food or have a shot of Zirkova.
In Joe’s recent years he enjoyed going to McDonalds every morning for coffee, taking his beloved dogs for a walk, swimming and going for a steam room every night, dancing with his fellow Tato’s in year-end Concert and lately dancing at the polka special every Sunday nights. He got to see two of his sons get married and the births of his two grandchildren. In February he took his very first all-inclusive vacation with his one son to Cuba. Loved His horse and buggy ride.
Family meant everything to Joe. He is survived by his three sons, Jay(Holly), Jeramy and Lindzee(Krista). His brothers and sisters,
Johnny(Ellie),Florance(Micheal)Mihalich(Sask),Edward(Doreen),Danny(Nancy), Floyd(Sharon),Carol(Gary)Clavet, Anna(Csuba)Turcsanyi. Sister in law Bonnie Luby. Also Extended Elms family. Grandchildren, Mia & Harvey, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Predeceased by his wife Karen(Elms) Luby, mother Jopsephine, father Florjan, brothers Stephen and David & nephew Jamie.
Joe always made a point before leaving your home to say “God Bless.” He told his children, daughters in law & grandchildren he loved them every time he saw them. He believed that it’s never goodbye, it’s just see you later. So we will see you later Tato.
The family would like to thank all the nursing staff on 3A at the TBRHSC, Dr. Shack, Dr. Simpson and the palliative care team for their care of our loved one.
Joe wanted to give his grandchildren a college fund. In lieu of flowers, there has been a GoFundMe page set up at gofundme.com/5go654g. It’s called Joe’s Grandkids College Fund.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 30, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street where Panakhyda will be offered at 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 when family and friends will gather in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Cross, 415 Victoria Ave W., for the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Stepan Dudur. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
