WIELGOS, Joseph - Joseph (Joe) Wielgos passed away peacefully on Friday February 16th, 2024, in his 99th year, at Lakeridge Health Oshawa.
Joe and his cherished wife Stella were married for 71 years until her passing in 2018.
He is survived by his son Ed (Brenda), three granddaughters Alison (Andrew), Hayley (Gary), Brittney (Gord) and six great grandchildren Alexandra, Maddie, Luke, Stella, Harry and Nash.
Joe was born in Poland and separated from his family as a teenager during the Second World War. He and Stella were married in 1947 in Germany while waiting to emigrate to a new life.
They were very resourceful and always made the best of their situations. Stella’s wedding dress was made from the silky cloth of a parachute and Joe’s suit was made from an army blanket.
Their wedding rings were made from melting and molding the silver from a 5 Deutschmark coin.
They waited in Germany for departure to their new home.
Originally, they were destined for Australia but an opportunity arose to go to Canada sooner and it was a country that they knew a little bit about since some of their friends immigrated here.
They arrived in Halifax and worked off their travel debt on a farm near Sackville, NB. Through friends, they learned of the opportunities in Ontario.
They first moved to Camp Borden and then finally to Oshawa where they remained ever since. For more than 60 years, they lived in their small house on Bloor Street. He finally had to move into a retirement home in his mid-90s.
Joe was a carpenter who became a construction supervisor. He supervised many construction projects in Oshawa and Whitby including Lasco Steel and the Ritson Road/401 underpass. Joe retired in 1991 and remained a proud member of the Carpenters Union Local 397 for over 70 years.
Joe loved being "Grandpa" to his granddaughters, great grandchildren and canine friend "Daisy". He was happiest when they were around.
He loved fishing and watching his son and granddaughters play hockey, softball and soccer over the years. Everyone has great memories of time spent with him and the support that he gave us.
Our thanks to the staff at the Village of Taunton Mills for looking after him so wonderfully over the past couple of years.
Thank you as well to the Lakeridge Health Oshawa 4F Palliative team who provided him with thoughtful care and supported us in his last few days.
Please join with the family to share memories during visitation on Tuesday February 20th from 11am to 1pm at ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME, 124 King Street East, Oshawa. A Private Family Service in the chapel with interment at Resurrection Cemetery will take place.
For online condolences please visit armstrongfh.ca .
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