Joe Jeroski passed away peacefully at the age of 82, survived by his wife Sharon and sons Mike (Erica) and Brent (Cindy), granddaughter Carli Puskas, and brother-in-law, Terry MacKinnon. He is predeceased by his sister, Joanne, and his parents, Alf and Margaret Jeroski.
Joe was a golfer, a husband, a father, a true friend and a “sporting man”.
He was born in Trail BC, but he grew up on the east side of Vancouver where he attended Selkirk and Gladstone schools.
Joe arrived in Vancouver in 1944. The Jeroski family settled in the relatively new area of the east end, an area being filled by working class people from throughout Canada after the war years. These were people who worked tirelessly to support and provide for their families.
Joe's father was a carpenter by trade. Alf built many homes and commercial buildings on the east side of Vancouver some of which are still standing today. Joe's mother Margaret ran the household, especially the kitchen; her perogies were legendary.
Joe was a gifted athlete. He played baseball at Hillcrest Park in Canada’s first ever Little League and hockey at Vancouver’s old Forum. He became lifelong friends with many of his teammates, some of whom went on to be well known professional athletes. It was truly a special time to be a kid in Vancouver.
Joe first learned to play golf at Hastings Park Golf Course under BC Sports Hall of Fame golfer Bill Mawhinney. By high school, golf became Joe’s true passion. He would often skip classes and hitch a ride on the garbage truck from Kingsway and Victoria to Fraserview Golf Course with his pal Sid Dahl.
Joe amassed an impressive tournament record as a junior and amateur golfer, winning numerous City, Provincial and even Washington State titles. These were highlighted by being named to the BC Willingdon Cup Team in 1961 and 1962. In 1961 that BC Team won the Willingdon Cup as the best amateur team in Canada.
In 1963 Joe quit the amateur ranks and turned pro. Over the next several years he worked at the Derrick Club (Edmonton) and Langara, Marine Drive and Fraserview (Vancouver)
Joe’s true passion for golf showed when he was out of the pro shop and on the course or the driving range. Joe was meticulous with his equipment, always tinkering with his clubs, refinishing woods, grinding irons and wedges from their original designs into something totally custom. They had to be perfect. His knowledge and endless curiosity about the golf swing led him to coaching. He was generous with his time, giving lessons to countless pro and amateur golfers often not charging them for his time and expertise. If you had an interest in golf, Joe showed an interest in you. Later in life, Joe wrote a paper for his friends, sharing his thoughts on the golf swing and how people learn to play golf.
Joe married Sharon McKinnon in 1966 and they had sons in 1969 (Michael Joseph) and in 1971 (Brent Douglas). The couple stayed married for 54 years until Joe’s passing in 2020, Sharon by his side.
In Vancouver, Joe was a man about Marpole. He seemed to know everybody. He had friends across all walks of life including a cast of very colorful characters of which he was one. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, sharing a beer and talking sports or as he called it “cutting up jackpots”. Joe was an exceptional card player; he always knew the odds and found a way to tip them in his favor He was a serious student of the game of baseball and shared his knowledge as a Little League and Pony League baseball coach.
Joe and Sharon spent many early days together watching the Vancouver Mounties at Capilano Stadium, the Canucks at the Pacific Coliseum, and the thoroughbreds at Exhibition Park. When sons Mike and Brent were young, he often took them to the newly named Nat Bailey Stadium to watch the Vancouver Canadians. In his later years, Joe and Sharon enjoyed watching almost every Blue Jay game together, and of course playing crib.
Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s around 50 years of age. He faced it with courage and it never defeated him. He survived two strokes, two seizures and even being struck by lightning. We came to think he was indestructible. He was tough, resilient and too stubborn to ever give up. He fought until the end.
There will be a celebration of Joe’s life in Vancouver in Spring 2021. If you’d like to be contacted with details as they become available, please send your email to rememberjj@yahoo.com or check www.kearneyfs.com/obituaries to find updates regarding service details.