Joseph Raymond Gervais

November 12th, 1951 - December 8th, 2021

Joseph's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Joseph here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

"My brother need not be idealized in death beyond what he was in life. To be remembered as a good and decent man"
Borrowing these lines that Ted Kennedy he spoke at the funeral for his brother Bobby.
My brother Joe was a good and decent man. Generous, compassionate, smart, quick-witted and funny. His and Jenny's door was always open. Our family will never be the same, nor should it be, without him.
During one of our many Catan playing visits the past few months, he said to me he was surprised and touched to realize how many people loved him. He told me he really couldn't understand why they did. I told him I knew the answer to that, and he asked me what it was. I said Joey, people who give a lot of love, get a lot of love in return. He got his twinkly-eyed smile and thanked me.
I miss you, my dear brother. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, which I will cherish until we are together again.

Geri

December 18th, 2021 at 12:57pm

Jacqui and I were honored and privileged to have had known Joe as a co-worker, ally, client and, most of all, a treasured friend.
We knew Joe to be a perfect host, a gracious guest, a consummate competitor, a generous donor, a devoted family-oriented person, an opportunist negotiator, a considerate listener, and a student of human nature.
We admired his ability to overcome countless personal and professional challenges and to grow from those experiences.
He dearly loved his family, of which he was enormously proud, and we appreciated his ability to make us feel part of that family. He also enjoyed getting to know and to be part of our family.
Joe was Joe, one of a kind, never pretentious, always friendly, highly inquisitive, and certainly, fun loving.
We have never-ending memories of all the precious moments we were able to spend with Joe and his family sharing meals, drinks, travels, boat rides, lobster rolls, games, sunsets, picnics, as well as happy and sad events
Jacqui and I are heart-broken to have lost such a great friend and he will be greatly missed. May he rest in the peaceful grace of God.

Kent and Jacqui Winship

December 16th, 2021 at 7:29am

First met Joe in 1999 when he persuaded my wife Hilary and I to relocate to South Haven to work with him and his team including of course Janette and on occasions Jessica. Joe will be loved and remembered for being honest forthright and compassionate plus having a great sense of humour which made working for him a joy. Being new in Michigan Joe went out of his way to include us in his social circle and so we got to know Jenny and the family - we had wonderful times on the lake with Hilary getting lessons on steering the boat! I am forever grateful to him for sponsoring the return of my wife and I to Europe. It would never have happened without him. Thankfully I was still able to work with Joe and therefore keep in touch with Jenny and Jessica for whom we now send our sad condolences, now gone but not forgotten —Ian and Hilary Speed

Ian and Hilary Speed

December 15th, 2021 at 12:29pm

Too many memories to list and too great a loss to express. My love, thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. Joe will live on in my memories and my heart.