Jose (Joe) Antonio Baptista Vaz was an extraordinary man. Born on March 31, 1949 the only child to Franklin and Maria Vaz, he enjoyed a charmed childhood of swimming pools and beaches in Alges, Portugal.
At 17, Joe moved to London, England to further his education. Enrolled in Art School, Joe found himself ensconced in the 60’s Mod culture. On a Lambretta scooter, he frequented dance halls and became the lead singer of a rock and roll band. He graduated top of his class from Birmingham College in Food and Domestic Arts in 1971. During this time, he met his first wife, Patricia Clarke and were married in 1970. They had 3 sons, Franklin, Andre and Nelson.
Even though Joe had a successful career in the hospitality industry working for London Transport, in 1979 he and Patricia decided to move to Red Deer, Alberta in the hope of greater prosperity.
Between 1986 to 1989, Joe’s pilgrim soul found the family moving to Victoria, Toronto and Vancouver. It was in Vancouver that he became the manager of Income and Operations for the Vancouver Parks Board. It was also in Vancouver in 1989 that Joe met his best friend and soul mate, his second wife, Judy Hull.
Joe’s travels were not over. In 1999, Joe, Judy and Nelson moved to Denver, Colorado and then to Bellingham, Washington, before returning to the Lower Mainland in 2005. Joe had many incarnations in the hospitality industry but later in life, he changed careers and worked in the Insurance Industry. Joe earned the highest mark in the province for his insurance qualifications, a testament to his incredible intellect.
Joe Vaz spoke 5 languages, lived in 4 countries, had an amazing singing voice and was happiest with a guitar or fishing rod in his hands. He was devoted to his family, he was honest and kind, and always gave the best advice you could ever receive. Joe loved to dance and he enjoyed food and was an excellent cook himself. He loved it the most when his family was near.
Joe was deeply religious. The Roman Catholic religion of his childhood was always with him. He had a profound love of Our Lady of Fatima; he prayed often and followed the tenets of his faith.
Joe passed away on August 20, 2022 from pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Judy, sons Franklin (Dianne), Andre (Nancy), Nelson (Kimberely), and his 5 grandchildren, Alexander, Aiden, Oliver, Laila and Mia.
His is now with his mother and father in the presence of God.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm at the Gardens of Gethsemani Chapel, 15694 – 32nd Ave., Surrey BC on Wednesday August 31, 2022. Interment will follow immediately after.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
The Fatima Center
452 Kraft Road
Fort Erie, Ontario L2A 4M7