December 12, 1930 ~ November 14, 2017
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joseph (Joe) Arnold Arsenault, aged 86, of Edmonton, Alberta. Joe passed away after a short illness on November 14, 2017 at the Sturgeon Community Hospital in St Albert where he was surrounded by family and friends. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Marilynn and daughter, Deborah. He is survived by his companion, Laurette Sperling; and her extended family; his son, Jim (Judy) Arsenault, of Fredericton, NB; daughter, Sheryl (Herb) Fleury, of Bon Accord, AB; six grandchildren, Richard, Ken, Rob Burke, and Trina Rubec all of New Brunswick, Ryan (Kate) Fleury and JJ (Brieann) Fleury from Alberta; great grandchildren, Marisa, Rachel, Martina, Joseph, Matthew, Carlie, Kelsie, Chloe and Evan from New Brunswick, as well as Peyton and Teagan Fleury from Blackfalds, Alberta.
Joe served 25 years as a firefighter in the Royal Canadian Air Force, with numerous postings across Canada and Europe. Upon leaving the Military, Joe returned to his birth place of Summerside, PEI where he became a Provincial Driver Examiner. Joe had many great experiences conducting driver’s tests in PEI. His favourite story was when he was conducting a driver’s test, and he ended up in a river with his feet up on the dash, as he kept writing FAIL across the Examiners drivers check sheet. Joe then took on the daunting task of directing the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) providing the Province of Prince Edward Island with Emergency orders and plans for disasters, fires and floods. Joe finally retired from EMO in April 1996. After spending a couple of years in Fredericton, NB, Joe moved to Edmonton, Alberta, where he relished his retirement by enjoying his favourite pastimes of fishing, curling and golf. It has been said that Joe always carried an extra club in his golf bag, he called it a foot wedge. If not doing one of his favorite past times, you could find him at Tim Horton’s, enjoying a coffee with his buddies. Joe was a very special man, he loved life, family and friends and was loved by many. He was happiest when surrounded by family and friends and none more so than his very special friends, Simon and Marjolaine Dubuc. Joe spent many a night enjoying a half glass of wine with Simon and Marjolaine after spending an evening with Laurette.
May the Lord enjoy Joe’s stories and antidotes as much as we did when he was here on earth with us.
Joe’s inurnment will take place Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 3:00 pm, at the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, 14611 Mark Messier Trail, Edmonton, Alberta.
Anything loved is not lost.