Joseph Henry Moss, fondly known as Joe, passed away on July 4, 2022 at the age of 92 in Parksville, BC, Canada.
Joe was born on January 4, 1930 in London, UK. He claimed he was the fastest 100m sprinter in the under-10 boys race in all of London and that was probably the reason he was able to dodge the bombings and survive the war. He also won a couples dancing championship in the city, showing his quick footedness preceded the quick wittedness we all saw in his latter years. Always the prankster, he dipped girls' pigtails in ink bottles in class which was also probably because he was unimpressed with the traditional curriculum and thinking, a trait that defined the rest of his life.
After four years of being conscripted in the British Army, he left for the new world, Canada, with nothing to lose. A 60-day ship journey around the Panama Canal brought him to Vancouver, where he met and married his beloved wife, Dolores in 1959. Together they built a comfortable life through hard work and perseverance, and they always found time for new friendships and adventures.
Having missed the sun for over 40 years, Joe, Dolores, David, and Sabrina relocated to San Diego, California and made it their home for two decades. Joe made hay as always, enjoying the sport of tennis and sailing boats, and sharing that life with his family. After their children had flown the nest, Joe and Dolores made Palm Desert their winter home and West Vancouver their summer abode.
Cruising on Holland America also became the couples' favorite activity, with Joe always being the storyteller on every cruise and making new friends that Dolores had to keep track of. In his 60's Joe picked up golf and continued playing into his 80's. He mastered the fundamentals of the sport, just like everything else he picked up in all walks of life, and helped him excel. He amazed his fellow golfers who thought he played 20 years younger than his real age.
In his 70's he quoted that he was poor because he had no grandchildren, but he and Dolores then became rich with 4 grandchildren, 2 boys to each of his children. He was always confident about his convictions and not afraid to speak his mind. While being a risk-taker, he was never greedy, content with the wins he got and never had any regrets. He enjoyed making his meals and never counting the calories knowing from his childhood war days that life was to be lived to the fullest. To him, his life formula had worked for so long, he did not see a reason to change it.
His physical ailments mellowed him his last few years, but the prenatural adapter he was he embraced by saying "Old soldiers don't die, they just fade away." He lived life on his own terms, loved his family immensely, made his own story, created laughter and happiness, whose echoes will be needed to fill the void now that he has faded away.
There aren't enough words to express our deep gratitude to Mona, Pam, Trina and Marlena, all the supprove neighbours and the incredible staff at BRGH who cared so well for him. We are deeply touched, especially by Mona who got to know him well, developed trust, and stayed by his side - your care is so much appreciated.
Joe leaves his cherished memories and adventures with his loving wife - Dolores, his children - David, Sabrina and their spouses - Rasha and Sachin and his grandchildren - Adi, Joey, Ilan and Noah.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
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