11/08/2025
🤍 In Loving Memory of my dear friend,
Joe Steele
“Is that Joe Steele?!” I would hear someone say on many of our outings together. A friendly well-known man in the North Bay, and Powassan area, he sure could make small talk with just about anyone, especially if it involved hockey or baseball. This led into countless conversations learning the history of our community, and the people who crossed paths with him.
At the impressive age of 94, I had the honour and privilege of facilitating adventures and outings with Joe. 3 years ago, The Steele family took a chance on me very early in the start-up of Park Therapeutic, meaning that he was my FIRST ever client that I would have the honour of befriending. Being the busy body that he was, always eager to get up to something, we really were a good fit for companionship. I’d arrive to pick him up and most often he’d first say, “What’s new kid?!” So I’d fill him in on the latest, then ask him the same question and he’d respond with “Not a heck of a whole lot!”. So then I’d enthusiastically reply with “Well let’s get out of here! What should we get up to today?” having a few ideas in the back of my mind. He would be quick to suggest heading to Thrift stores, up to the Airport to catch a plane take-off, a nearby museum, grab a burger with relish and onions, or a take a drive around the area which seemed to be of most enjoyment for him. Last month, I was asked by the family to facilitate bringing him to his Grandson’s wedding. Little did we know this would be one of the last major family celebrations he would experience. He was so grateful to be there. Of all things, he was most proud of his family.
The neat part about our time together was the number of hours we could chat about real life. Joe had a hard time hearing, so sometimes that meant the whole restaurant hearing our business as we exchanged stories, but we carried on! As long as I’ve known Joe, he wouldn’t hesitate to mention God, and his prayer life. However, over the last several months, Joe had started asking the bigger questions, some that I didn’t have full answers to. To Joe, that didn’t matter. He would always say something like “you know Kayralee, boy you sure know a lot, that makes a lot of sense.” Even though I didn’t have the right words, God sure did. Leaving some things unanswered, within our next few visits he would pick up that conversation somewhere we left off. Joe was sharp as a tack most days; I was always in awe of his cognitive abilities. I know for certain that his loving family support system was a huge pillar to the longevity he was able to experience in his later years.
In this line of work, I am often thanked for the day to day that I provide to my clients. But I sit here today so thankful for the experience and memories made with Joe, as he was a huge blessing to me. He will be dearly missed as our weekly visits are now a treasured memory.
May you go in peace Joe and be welcomed in the arms of our gracious God!
