JOSEPH SIDNEY FREEMAN
(August 3, 1938 – October 29, 2020)
It is with great regret to inform you about the passing of Joseph Sidney Freeman on October 29, 2020 at Alexandra Marine and Goderich Hospital. He will be sadly missed by his wife Dorothy (Rutledge) Freeman, his children Donna MacPhee (Kevin Whitworth), Stephen Freeman (Barb Bryce), Step Children Brenda Brown, Paul Brown, Lisa Gorel (Paul) and their families.
“Grampa Joe” created such fond memories with his many grand-children and great grand-children.
Joe was born in Goderich to Joseph and Eva (Gardner) Freeman of Colborne Township. The youngest of four siblings: Lois (Donald) Straughan, Beryl (Allan) MacDonald and Arthur (Shirley Straughan) Freeman. Predeceased by his children Judy and Robert, and his step daughter Janette Bird.
Joe worked at Volvo for over 35 years and was a member of the Goderich Legion, Barn Dance Society, Blyth Threshers Association and the Masonic Lodge.
He will always be remembered for his long stories, his love of camping and music (especially the Sheppardton Shuffle) and enjoying life to the fullest!
A private family service will be held at Colborne Cemetery on Wednesday November 4, 2020. Donations to the Huron Pioneer Threshers Hobby Association (H.P.T.H.A.) or the Goderich Legion Branch #109 will be greatly appreciated.
Shared by Allen & Glenda Gardner
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Jim & Judy Sloan
Dorothy and family, Sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband Joe. He was a good friend to us and will be so missed. He always had time to chat. Will miss seeing him at the many music events always sitting right up front. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Jim & Judy Sloan
Judy Sloan
On behalf of the members of the Huron Pioneer Threshers & Hobby Assn. sincere sympathy on the loss of our wonderful friend, volunteer and member Joe. He will be so missed. Dorothy and family you are in our thoughts and prayers. Judy Sloan President
Debbie MacAdam
To all of Joe’s Family
So sorry to hear of his passing.A great guy and will be truly missed by many .
Our sincere condolences.
Take Care
Bill Boak and Deb MacAdam
Marlene Keane
My sympathy to the whole family. I have fond memories of the good times I had as a child visiting cousin Joey on the farm. He had such a kind heart and a wonderful sense of humour. As a teenager I recall being entertained by his stories. He will be missed by many.
Ken and Shirley Boyce
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Joe.He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends and those of us who enjoyed his musical talents along with his brother Art. RIP Joe.
Judy Tigert
Our condolences to the Freeman family. Joe was a great neighbour and friend of the Tigert family. I remember him always with a great smile on his face and generosity in his heart. He will be missed.
Wendy Brasz
What a man. I will cherish my memories of Uncle Joe forever. Any chat with Uncle Joe he made you feel like there wasn’t any other place he’d rather be than talking with you. Amazing, kindhearted and genuine are a few ways to describe him. We will miss you, say hi to all the family already called home, with a hug for Mom and Dad for me please Till we meet again xoxo Love Wendy
Nancy Bartz
Harry and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Fond memories of apple picking. Such an inventive guy. Intrigued by his genius. The world will miss him.
Sis Beryl and Allan MacDonald
We will surely miss our Bro Joe, he had the most contagious laugh and chuckle and smile, always took time to have a chat, no matter where it was. We will miss his many favorite songs he would sing with a bit of coaxing of course.
His love of music will never be forgotten. He loved his family life very much after his retirement. Heaven has gained a willing worker. We will see you later. Love and miss you ..Sis Beryl and Allan
Marilyn Vaux
My deepest sympathy to each of you. Joe was a big man with an even bigger heart! He was kind and generous with his time and with his actions. He will be missed!
Pat Sanderson
My sincere condolences to the Freeman Brown family and everyone who loved him. I feel I’ve known him my whole life. I will never forget his Shepparton shuffles and singing Saginaw Michigan. He was a great man and will be missed by many.
Wendy and Tom McFarlan
Our most sincere sympathy Dorothy, to you and your family. Joe was such a great community fellow, always a big smile and an amazing musician. Many enjoyed his music but especially his cousins. Hugs to each of you during this sadness.
Love Wendy and Tom
Barb { Foster } Allemang
My warmest sympathy is extended to you Dorothy, as you bid a loving farewell to a great husband and all around great ‘guy’. Special caring thoughts are sent to my long time friend, Steve and Donna whom I had the pleasure to meet this year.
Yvonne Dougherty
Sorry to hear about Joe. Our deepest sympathy. Yvonne and Gord Dougherty
Darlene Karen wilson
So sorry to hear about Joe passing he will be greatly miss and was a great neighbor to our family. Our hearts goes out to his family
Betty and Barry McDonagh
So sorry for everyone’s loss. Our sincere love and prayers go your way hugs 🤗 too all.
Pete and Irene Pollock
Dear Dorothy and family,
We are so sorry to hear of cousin Joe’s passing. We are SO thankful we stopped for a visit a little while ago and enjoyed listening to Joe’s stories with a beer on your patio. Joe loved people and never missed a chance to say a few words to everyone at Bannister family gatherings. We will miss his friendly smile and hugs. Love from Irene and Pete
Jon Ginn
Dot and family. We were sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Thinking of you.
Mickey and Jon
Rick & Cyndy Abell
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time of Joe’s passing. We will miss sitting with annually at Cargill’s Festival. He was super friendly with a wonderful sense of humour. May the Lord give you peace and strength in the coming days. Rick and Cyndy Abell
Cathy Williams
I remember Joe coming in to the TSC store when I worked there he was always very sweet and I always had a story, I’m so sorry for your loss to the whole Freeman family XOXO
Barbara Desjardins
I am so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by your fond memories.
Annette MacKenzie
Dot and family,
We are so very sad to hear of Joe’s passing. Lots of memories of laughter, music, and great conversations over the years for us to cherish. Sending our sincerest sympathies to you all. He was such a great man.
Thinking of you,
Brian, Annette, and family
Karen Holtby
Donna & family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Keep the memories close to your heart. Wonderful memories of back in the Saltford Hall.
David MacAdam
Deepest condolences to all. Joe was such a great guy with such a love for music. He always participated in the Jamboree sessions we held at Goderich Legion. We will miss his smiling face in the music circles for sure!!!
Heather & Greg Holmes
Our condolences to Dorothy, and family. His smiling face and chats will be missed at the camping/music events where we would see each other. Greg & Heather Holmes, Shelburne.
Ken McGee
Joe and I went to school together. What a good guy. Always a great fun conversation whenever we met. Another nice local person gone from our area.
CATHY Harman
Donna, Lisa and all family of Joe,
What a great guy to have known for many years. He will be missed.
My sincere Sympathies to all.
Yvonne Dougherty
Sorry to hear about Joe . Our deepest sympathy
Sharon Sanders
Dear Dorothy and Family
So sorry to hear of your loss. Fond memories of babysitting, chats at Shepperton Store and of Joe picking up Krystal & Sean (daughter & son in law) from Toronto Airport. I know mom & dad (George & Ilene Sillib) had many good times chatting with you. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Sharon
Marybelle Cranston
Sorry for the loss of husband, father, brother and friend to so many people. Joe was always helpful whenever anyone needed a hand. Regards to all Marybelle
Jim Bissett
Sorry for your loss, he will be missed by so many .
Kaitlynn Becker
Joe will be greatly missed. His generous spirit and wonderful smile will never be forgotten. I still remember getting lost and ending up at Joe and Dots and he was such an amazing host!
Sending love and support to Dot and family.
Laura Johnston
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing.
Pat Rutledge
So sorry to hear. My condolences.
Jane Kerr
So sorry for your loss, Dorothy and family.
Joe hallahan
Donna and Kevin my sincere condolences to you and Dorothy and family.I will keep you in my prayers
John Lowe
Dear Dot, so very sad to read about Joe. He always had time for a chat. Nothing but wonderful memories from the Thrashers. Warmest regards.
John Lowe, Brussels
Evelyn Boyce
So sorry, for your loss I will miss our little chart s when we meet
Eric Ross
I remember Joe always taking time to talk to me when I was a kid and have fond memories of those camping weekends with my folks at his home. I’m sorry for your loss. God bless and RIP Joe.
John Hummel
My condolences to Dorthy and the Freeman family. I worked with Joe for many years at Champion/Volvo . Always a smile and good conversations.
Annette and Jim Ritchie
To Dorothy and all of your’s and Joe’s family
Our condolences to you all. We are thinking of you.
Brian and Bev Weaver
So very sorry for your loss. Hold onto your memories we are thinking of you
Karen Holtby
To Donna and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Keep the memories close to your heart. I so enjoyed working with him at Saltford Hall over the years. RIP Joe
Shirley Erb
To all of Joes family. Joe was a great man. Always had a smile and a hello no matter were you met him.
Wayne & Gwen Doak
Our deepest sympathy to you and your Family Dorothy, we have a lot of good memories of Joe and the Shepparton Shuffle. Joe was one of a kind and will be missed by many.
Roy and Nancy Gardner
It is with great sadness to learn of Joes passing. Our sincere condolences to Dorothy and the Freeman family. Joe will be dearly missed by family, friends, and associates. Nancy and I have fond memories from our visits with Joe and Dorothy who so graciously shared their hospitality with us in their beautiful country setting on Shepparton LIne. We are grateful to Joe for sharing the Freeman family history and for the endless life stories. RIP cousin Joe.
Margaret (Jean) Berry-Laviolette
My many condolences to the family of my wonderful cousin. His warmth and zest for life will be sadly missed.
Allen & Glenda Gardner
Dorothy, Lois & Don, Beryl & Al, Art & Shirley and extended families. How sad we are to hear of cousin Joe’s sudden passing. We are thinking of all of you at this difficult time. The last time we saw Joe, it was a very enjoyable and memorable time at Beryl and Al’s home when Beryl, Art and Joe were singing and playing for us.
Love, Allen & Glenda
Janice Gavin
Sorry to hear of the passing of Joe. He was a faithful and dedicated volunteer driver with the Children’s Aid Society for many years. Always enjoyed chatting with him.
JOYCE BLACK
Dorothy and family – Thinking of you and your families at this sad time and send sincere sympathy in the passing of Joe. He will be missed by many family members and friends. Think of the memories of your fun times together as you face the days and months ahead. Take care of each other.
Evelyn Boyce
So sorry for your loss,
Shirley Erb
To all of Joes Family. Joe was a great guy. Always had smiles and a wonderful greeting when you ran into him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Margaret Cook
Sincere condolences to the family on Joe’s passing. I knew him for many years. He always greeted me with a smile and had time for a little chat.
Glenn Green
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I have many memories from the Champion days.
Taylor & Margaret Giesbrecht
So sorry to hear about your loss of Joe – have many fond memories of Joe and family, as Sheppardton neighbours, in younger years. Always enjoyed a visit with Joe, many which were just on the side of the road.
Dennis Schmidt
Donna & Kevin, our sincere condolences to you and the family. We will keep you in our prayers.
Ron & Brenda Siddon
Dorothy & Family,
We were sorry to hear of Joe passing.
He was ‘a lot of fun’ to play music with, in the days of the Goderich Legion Jamborees, and the Shepperton Shuffle he created, made for good times as well. Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Ron & Brenda.
Barb Martin
My prays are with you at this time. Joe was a wonderful person and will be miss by many. RIP
Pat Johnston
Dorothy, Donna and Joe’s family
I was shocked and saddened to read of Joe’s passing. I was just talking to him about 2 weeks ago at Food Basics. Same old Joe, chuckling away.
He will live forever in the memories of those who knew him and in the hearts of those who loved him.
Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Pat Johnston and Bob Desjardins
Gord and Ruth Baxter
Dear Dorothy and family – We are saddened to learn of Joe’s passing. Our great friend, school and camping buddy. Joe will be missed by all. Our sincerest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time. Gord and Ruth
Marilyn Godfrey
RIP Uncle Joe! One of the good guys and always fun to around. You will be missed. My thoughts are will all of your family.
Sandra Popp
Dorothy, Donna, Stephen. Brenda, Paul and Lisa
Sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Heaven gained a great guy. You are in our thoughts.
Sandra Popp and family
Nancy and Junior White
Our sincere sympathy goes out to Dorothy and her family at this sad time……Joe was such a friendly guy and always stopped for a chat when we would meet…..Joe was one of the “Good Guys”…….May he rest in peace…..
Don and Lois Straughan
So very sad to lose my brother Joe, he is going to be missed very much. He was never to be busy for a chat and a warm welcome.
Sister Lois and brother in law Don.
Barb Garden
We are so deeply saddened by this terrible loss of our Uncle Joe. Our condolences for the family and friends who had the pleasure of knowing this kind soul. Rest in Peace Joey..💙
Carlos and Barb Garden