Joseph Harpe

Obituary of Joseph Harpe

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With the heaviest of hearts, the family of Joseph Harpe would like you all to know of his passing on May 22, 2025, at the age of 80.

 

Joe passed away peacefully at the Northern Lights Regional Hospital in Fort McMurray, AB.

 

He was born on November 16, 1944, in Fort McMurray. He was the seventh born in a family of 14 children.

 

Family was very important to Joe. He played a big role in the lives of all who knew and loved him and there are many. In his honour he has 12 nephews and 1 grandson that have his first name as their middle name.

 

Joe was always passionate about sports. He was the biggest fan of the Toronto Maple Leaf’s and the Saskatchewan Rough Riders fan. He was known for his boxing career having officiated over 800 amateur boxing bouts. His very own boxing record was 42-0. Nobody could beat “Smokin’ Joe.”

 

He was apart of the first class to graduate from Keyano College in 1966 when it was known as Alberta Vocational College where he studied welding.

 

Joe went on to work for a small contracting company at the age of 25. When asked who his best hand was, he recommended Real Couture who was only 17 at the time to do the Oiling on the little beaver drag line. He also worked on the boats in the Fort McMurray shipping yard. He then worked for Doug Golosky at Clearwater Welding from 1986 till he finally retired at the age of 75. He first tried to retire earlier in life, but he was a hard-working man who enjoyed keeping busy.

 

Music and Dancing were other passions of his. He kept it classy with good old rock-and-roll and country music often playing. He was an exceptional dancer, and on occasion you could catch him impersonating Elvis Presley!

 

Joe was always a proud Elder of McMurray Métis. He was known for his jigging, once taking home a third-place prize for his moves. He even taught his great-niece how to jig.  

 

He was an active Member of McMurray Métis and always had a big smile on his face at Elders Tea and gave everyone a warm greeting at all meetings and events. He was everyone’s confidant. He even served as President Kelly Myers bodyguard at Métis Fest one year!

 

Joe was pre-deceased by his parents Edward and Olivine Harpe; daughter Michelle; brothers Arthur, Fred, Emile, August, Albert and Roland; sisters Marianne, Yvonne, Annette and Thelma, and son-in-law Chris Clark.

 

He will be remembered by his children: Dawn, Alina (Brandon); his grandchildren: Tye, Jaylie, Trenton, and Taryn; his siblings: Henry, David, and Leona (Ray) and all their families.

 

The family would like to extend a special THANK YOU to the wonderful third floor palliative care staff at the Northern Lights Regional Hospital and the staff from the Fort McMurray Home Care Support Team. The care and the support they gave him as well as his family was above and beyond with empathy, kindness and compassion.

 

To honour Joe, there will be a memorial service on Saturday, May 31 at St. Johns the Baptist Catholic Parish at 10:00 AM with a celebration of life to follow at the Kahkiyaw Gathering Place at McMurray Métis at 12:00 PM.

Saturday
31
May

Funeral Mass

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Saturday, May 31, 2025
St. John the Baptist Parish
3 Hospital Street
Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Saturday
31
May

Reception

12:00 pm
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Kahkiyaw Gathering Place
441 Sakitawaw Trail
Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
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Joseph Harpe

In Loving Memory

Joseph Harpe

1944 - 2025

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