Joseph George Mrak
March 10, 1937 - May 16, 2023
Tribute
Joe Mrak passed away in Chilliwack on May 16, 2023 at the age of 86. He was predeceased by his wife Phyllis of 61 years, siblings Beatrice, Emil and Steven and his granddaughter Rebecca. Joe is survived by his children Joe (Cathy), David (Heather), Dan (Pat), Dianne (Doug), Katherine (Kendall), Peter (Tracey), Andrew (Cheryl) and Steve (Ruth) as well as 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Joe was born to Croatian immigrants on March 10th, 1937 in Prince George, B.C. In 1942, Joe’s family moved to Surrey where he attended Port Kells Elementary, North Surrey High and Queen Elizabeth Secondary. While in high school, he met the love of his life Phyllis, and they married in 1958. Joe loved working with wood which was evident in his work as a lofts man at Star Shipyard in New Westminster, a fabricator for Glulam Beams in Coquitlam and a building contractor throughout B.C.
In 1980, Joe, Phyllis and the five youngest children moved from Port Kells to a hobby farm on Boundary Rd., Abbotsford. Here, he enjoyed working in his workshop, having garage sales and meeting with friends. Throughout Joe’s life, he loved to write poetry, play cribbage, attend auctions and play the guitar. Additionally, he donated to many charities such as the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Operation Smile.
Condolences
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From: Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home
Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Yvonne Hamel
Relation: Friend from Lynnewood
My husband and I met Phyllis and Joe in Lynnwood retirement home a few years ago where we really enjoyed their company.
They were such a good natured and happy couple and we looked forward to having dinner with them every evening. Joe was a member of a group of writers who wrote and published poems and limericks for their own pleasure. Joes poetry’s often reflected his hatred of war, violence and injustice. He also wrote other poems which were very funny and guaranteed to lift the spirits after a difficult day.
We will miss him.
Yvonne Hamel
From: Brayden Sawatzky
Relation: A friend from the Fraser Valley Poets
We at the Fraser Valley Poets Society have known Joe for about sixteen years, since at least 2007. he became a wonderful friend to so many of us over the years. He lifted our spirits with his kindness, his humour, and his poems. Many of his poems were published in our various poetry anthologies over the years. He will be remembered for his smiles and sociable nature, for his faith, and for standing up for what he firmly believed was right and true. He will be greatly missed by myself and numerous others from our group.
From: Shelley Haggard
Relation: Friend
I met Joe through the poetry club in Abbotsford. He was full of happy mischief and loved to entertain us with his stories. He was a hard working, creative soul and I will forever impressed by the beautiful canoe he built. He was kind, generous, and a good family man. I hope he finds a way to keep playing guitar and writing poems and working with wood…good-bye Joe, God speed.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
Memorial donations will be gratefully accepted to:
the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Operation Smile.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered directly through our supplier for delivery throughout the entire lower mainland, from Hope to Vancouver:
Wiebe & Jeske Funeral Home
202-31314 Peardonville Rd.
Abbotsford BC
V2T 6K8
info@wiebeandjeskefh.com
604-859-5885
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