Dec. 27, 1920 — Oct. 19, 2005
Joseph (Joe) Edward Acheson, of Chilliwack, passed peacefully at the Chilliwack General Hospital, on Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at the age of 84.
Joe was born on Dec. 27, 1920 in Ballenderry, Northern Ireland, to the late Edward Acheson and Frances Balmer.
His fascinating storytelling, piano entertainment, and resounding chuckle will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, his “blue-eyed best girl” Enid; daughters Charie (Frank) Carmichael and Kathy (Ron) Burr; grandchildren Brad (Jay), Kevin (Donna), Mark, Robyn and Brian; great-grandchildren Keegan, Lila, and Noah; and numerous nephews and nieces.
At the age of two, Joe immigrated to Chilliwack, B.C. with his father and brother Jim. In 1939, he enlisted in the Canadian Air Force. He was trained in Morse code and in wireless communications at the #1 Wireless School in Montreal, and remained a wireless operator for the duration of World War Two. On December 30, 1942, he married Enid Vance in her parents’ home in Chilliwack. The newlyweds lived in various Air Force bases across Canada, until they returned to Chilliwack in 1945.
At age 29, Joe joined the National Employment Office as an insurance officer. In 1966, he became manager of Canada Manpower Center where he remained until his retirement in 1979.
In his early years, Joe enjoyed fishing at his favourite fishing hole and hunting with his dog Pep. In his later years, he spent time playing with his trains, swimming in his pool, and working in his garden.
However, more than anything, he loved to be with his family and he loved to putter. He used to say “he’d been doing it for thirty years and hadn’t quite got the knack for it yet.”
A family celebration of life rather than a public memorial service was held on Sunday, October 23, 2005.