It’s with profound sadness that we announce the passing of my father.
José Ferreira Baptista on September 4th, 2023
Born in Vimeiro, Portugal on November 14th, 1940
Joe was 83 years old.
A loving husband to Maria Celeste Honorio Baptista
A good father to (predeceased) Pedro Baptista and Helder Baptista
A son to both (predeceased) João Baptista and Amelia Ferreira.
A brother to (sister) Maria Amelia, (predeceased sister) Assunção, (predeceased brother) Manuel, (sister) Constância and (brother) Fernando.
José (Joe) was born and raised on the family farm and started working at an early age.
He was a veteran. In his early twenties was conscripted into the Portuguese army and served 3 years in the Angolan war. This experience would have had a deep impact on his soul as all veterans experience. He was a quiet man so didn’t share much of his experiences but once in awhile he would give us a glimpse into this short period in his life.
During his tour in Angola (1961-1964) he began a pen pal relationship with my mother. Back then they would set up couples this way to lift the spirits of soldiers. When he returned he started courting her. They both worked in Lisbon. Their hometowns were very close to each other; Vimeiro and Turquel are both civil parishes of the municipality of Alcobaça, Portugal.
They married in 1967. (56 years)
My dad started working in West Germany and would come back and forth to Portugal while my mom worked in Lisbon. Pedro was born in 1968 and I was born in 1969. In 1970 the family all moved to West Germany.
In 1972 we returned to Portugal temporarily before immigrating to Canada.
My father began building a life in Vancouver and had many different jobs until settling into the construction industry and becoming a machine operator. He operated a backhoe excavator. Most of his career was with Campbell Cartage which at the time was a large company. By the time the owner retired my father was the companies last operator. He decided to go on his own in the early 90’s and ran his own business until retiring in 2010. He was part of the Operators and Engineers Union Local 115 both as an employee and with loyalty continued when he started his company.
He also had an incredible ability to remember times and dates from his past. He would remember everyone’s birthday and often other people’s marriage dates plus all other types of events. Always reminding us, even on my mother’s side of the family. Cousins, God Children, etc. were never forgotten.
Dad was punctual and super responsible. Did not like to arrive late anywhere!
He had a few hobbies over the years. He enjoyed landscaping with ornamental trees and plants. He gained much inspiration working on projects in Stanley Park and VanDusen Gardens over the years. His front yard was full of colour throughout the year. He also loved photography, often investing in the latest camera technology. In the past week I’ve gone through thousands of printed photo’s reliving moments. In the 80’s he raised Canaries and had some Budgies and Parakeets. He built a large aviary under his sundeck. Mornings were full of canary song.
His one and only grandson was born in 2005. Alexandré brought much happiness to his life. He bought a minivan that year to ensure he could fit everyone and would often pickup Alé from school on Fridays… making sure to sneak him chocolate every time.
Joe was a cancer survivor and had lost his kidneys 4 years ago thus requiring dialysis which is very hard on the heart. During a hospital stay to deal with some complications his heart finally gave out. He was a trooper.
Services are set for next week as follows.
Monday September 18th, 2023 (One day)
Funeral Mass
Our Lady of Fátima
1423 E 13th Ave, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
10:30am
Burial
12:30am arrival
Forest Lawn Cemetary
3789 Royal Oak Ave, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
North end of property in “Cypress” Phase 2
“Closest to Canada Way”