Joseph (Joe) Allen Elzby passed away at the Grey-Bruce Regional Health Centre surrounded by the love of his family on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at the age of 48. Joe had courageously battled illness that was the result of a serious accident for many months.
Joe was the dearly loved son of the late Phyllis Tom of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Richard and Jane Elzby of Meaford, Ontario. He was Anishinaabe and a community member of Big Grassy First Nation, Ontario.
Joe will forever be missed his sisters Michelle and Lisa, brother-in-law Robert and niece Clara. He will be remembered by his grandmother Mary Coppa and many aunts, uncles and cousins from his adoptive and birth families.
A service celebrating Joe’s life is planned for Wednesday, September 11th at 1:30 pm at the Gardiner-Wilson Funeral Home, Meaford, followed by interment at Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the M’wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre (Owen Sound) (https://mwikwedong.com) or First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (https://fncaringsociety.com) in memory of Joe would be appreciated.
I am so terribly sorry for his passing. Joe was a great true friend to me since we met decades ago. Through time and distance he was always a brightness in my life. He lived live as an adventure of collecting experiences and friends. Through all the challenges life threw at him he stayed strong and good. A more gentle and well read soul I’ve never met! He will be missed dearly. My love to his family. And his friends.
Dear Michelle and Family,
I would like to pass on my deepest and most sincere sympathies. I never met Joe, but I have heard wonderful things over the years that Michelle and I have known each other. You have all been through so much and I would like you to know that others are thinking of you and that we share your sadness and grief.
Rebecca Webster
A Friend from Pine Grove P.S.
Jane, Rick, Michelle & Lisa – I smile as I remember Joe’s laughter would bring joy & laughter to everyone who surrounded him… So many wonderful memories are shared by each of you, the love that continued to surround Joe all his days from each of you is something Joe carried with him!!!
Joe was extremely strong through the love of his family…
Each of you know there are many of us out there praying & remembering each of you at this extreme difficult time…
Michelle and family
My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time with the loss of a wonderful person so close to your hearts. May you all be given the strength to move forward with time. Remember and cherish all the moments and memories you had together.
Your co-worker
Goretti Alves,
Pine Grove P.S.
Michelle and Family,
Our deepest condolences. We were so saddened to hear of the passing of Joe as we closely followed his valiant battle. From the stories you have shared with us to this beautiful tribute, I know he will be deeply missed. May you feel love and comfort as you mourn the loss of Joe.
Corinna and Family
Dear Rick,Jane,Michelle and Lisa, I am so sorry to read of Joe’s passing. I pray that your Love for him and each other will console you in the days ahead.Cherish the memories. May God Bless you all. Jan Almond
Dear Michelle and Family,
I’m so sorry that you must grieve this very big loss, and say such a difficult goodbye. I hope you can hold on tight to the memories that warm your heart.
Michelle, your Pine Grove Family continues to hold you all in our thoughts and hearts.
Sending you strength and comfort.
Tania Griffiths
Richard and Jane, I just read of Joe’s passing and want to extend my sincere condolences. It’s especially tough to lose your child.
Thank you so much Norm. It is really tough We have had much love and support extended to us through family friends and community.
Take care and God bless you. Good to here from you.
Richard and Family, My sincere condolences on the passing of Joseph. Please know my thoughts are with you at this time.
Michelle and family, I am so truly and deeply sorry for your loss. Prayers for peace and comfort to you all now and in the days ahead as you remember, grieve and heal together.
We send our sincere sympathy to all of your family. Hugs and prayers for comfort during these difficult days.
Jean and Brian Krause
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your son and brother, Joe. We send our love and prayers for peace.
Wayne & Elizabeth Park
Michelle and family,
My deepest condolences to you and your family on your loss. There are no words that will make your pain any less. Cherish the memories of all the good times and all the laughter and your brother will always be close to your heart. Stay strong.
Fred Parente
Pine Grove School
Rick, Jane, Michelle and Lisa.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your son and brother.
May the good memories keep him in your heart.
Rick, Jane, Michelle and Lisa,
My condolences on the loss of Joe. I remember when you brought him home to live with you. Everyone was thrilled! He was such a sweet little guy full of joy and love. God placed him with your family for a reason so many years ago. Here in Calgary, we were keeping up on his recent accident and praying with you for a miracle. Please know we will continue to pray for you.
Love and hugs,
Brenda
Richard, Jane, Michelle, Lisa, Robert and Clara… I am so so sorry for your loss… a spirit as strong as Joe’s is a rare gift to have in your life – and you were ALL so blessed to have found each other.
My love and my heart go out to you all.
Dear Rick, Jane, Lisa, Michelle and all of Joe’s family: I’m so sorry for your loss. Joe was such a rare person, funny, kind, sharply intelligent,with the soul of an artist. His sheer love of music will live on and on. Sending you my thoughts and prayers and deepest sympathy. Nadia
Joe
You were a big part of my childhood and leading into the scary world of adulthood. You were an amazing mind and soul. Your creative genius was watched with amazement. Oh the stories we could tell of our “adventures”. You will always be remembered my friend. I will forever cherish the memories of you and I.
To the Elzby family. Thank you for sharing Joe with me.
Hello my name is Kathleen Watt. I just recently learned of his passing last night and wanted to relay my condolences to his family. The news is still fresh for me so I am sorry if this is perhaps too emotional. But it will be honest. I had been thinking of him actually a couple of weeks ago and how innocently endearing he was.
A background. I am a friend of Nadia Bozak, his mutual kindred spirit from high school. The first time I had met Joe, he had saved his last quarter from the arcade to go get a Mr. Noodle. I turned to my friend Nadia and asked, “That’s him?” She promptly confirmed, “That’s him”. As in he is the one I want, desire, can see myself with, etc. And whom she had been raving about as a potential suitor. When you know, you know, and what ensued was a pure joy to witness. A friend in love. And better yet another who reciprocated her intentions. They knew exactly who each other were and for all of our insecurities as human beings, they knew it in each other and loved each other more for them. Anyone who reads “Orphan Love” will have a glimpse into their love story that I was lucky enough to witness first hand.
Arriving at Nadia’s house one night, I commented. “what the hell happened here?”. Nadia responded with a knowing eye, “Joe cooked tonight”. It was chaos but endearing chaos as we both said “Ah” and started to clean up. And then Joe in the other room, “Oh Hi Kathleen, I made snacks, want some?” to which Nadia and I giggled and declined. But feeling “good for you Joe”. And a testament in friendship how we all take care of each other when the other is utterly unaware. This is how I saw Joe, interacting with his friends as a gentle heart. Pulling the sheets over his head when a parent visited unexpectedly, offering to walk you home, waiting until you ate first at an o’dourve table at his art show even when he was hungry. It’s more of the essence of Joe I remember that any event, and I think that was what captured Joe. He had a presence of a softhearted, kind and open heart that made you pause in the world. Someone who made you think and feel differently. And I still cannot put my finger on it, as I cannot put my finger on him. Only I was very affected in learning of his passing and wanted to relay my condolences to his family and Nadia. I was very lucky to know the people I did during the time capsule of youth. And truly, Joe and Nadia were inspirations of love and the human heart for me. Rest In Peace Joe. You really made your mark on the world. And my kindest thoughts are with your family during this difficult time of grieving. Xo Kathleen