It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Joseph Mary Ruggier at the age of 61, at his home in Richmond, BC, on Sunday July 8, 2018.

Joe was born in Malta on July 26, 1956 and emigrated to Canada in 1981. He married Maria Julia Raminhos Lourenco in 1984, with whom he raised their daughter, Sarah Thérèse.

He attended St. Aloysius' College followed by a B.A. (1st class Honours) in English from the Royal University of Malta and continued his studies in Canada earning a certificate in Writing and Publishing (SFU) and a Diploma in Typesetting (VCC), which he credits for becoming an established publisher. Joe wrote and published poetry in both Maltese and English, managing a small press, Multicultural Books of BC, and editing the poetry journal, The Eclectic Muse. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to publish dozens of titles, selling over 20,000 books.  Joe was committed to the written word, elevating the works of his peers and poets he loved. In his final days, he worked fervently, translating work by Maltese priest, writer and poet, Dun Karm Psaila. Joe was passionate about his faith, family -- most especially his beloved Sarah Thérèse -- international sports (soccer), languages, playing classical guitar and listening to his wide-ranging record collection.

Joe was predeceased by his beloved mother Maria Ruggier (née Micallef). He leaves to mourn his loss his family, Sarah Thérèse and Maria Julia,  his father Alfred, his six siblings Paul, Fred, Louis, Mario, Anna, Marisa, Aunts, Uncle, in-laws, many cousins, nephews, nieces and great-niece and nephew, residing in Canada, USA, Malta, Ireland, and Kenya.

Prayers will be offered on July 18, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul Church, 8251 St. Albans Rd., Richmond, B.C. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 19, 2018 at St. Paul Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Gardens of Gethsemani for 1:30 p.m. Condolences for the family may be left at  www.kearneyfs.com . Visit Joe’s website at www.mbooksofbc.com