Joseph (Joe) Hank Maurer passed away peacefully in his sleep with his children Marie, Wayne, and David by his side at the age of 100 years, on November 23, 2024, at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC. Joe was born on September 8, 1924, in Salzburg, Austria.

Joe married Edna on April 12, 1950. Joe and Edna were happily married right up until Edna passed in 2015. Joe’s two oldest children, Gerry Maurer and Elaine Horning, predeceased him in August 2023.

Joe is survived by 3 of his children and their spouses: Marie (Rod) McCaskill, Wayne Maurer, and David (Andria) Maurer, as well as his 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Joe came from a large family of 3 sisters, 4 brothers, and 1 adopted brother. Joe is predeceased by 3 brothers, his adopted brother, and 2 sisters.

He was born in Salzburg, Austria, and moved to Canada with his mom and family when he was 3 years old. Joe had many jobs through his life, including horse logging, mining, construction, orchard work, and his longest time was spent as a Building Service Worker at Tranquille Tuberculosis Sanatorium and continuing when it transitioned to the Tranquille School until he retired in the ’80s.

Dad lived a very active and fulfilled life and loved hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends. Joe spent so much time at Knouff Lake that he joked he should change his address. His 1987 Ford F150 truck and camper could do that trip on its own, it went so many times. He loved to travel—he went to Alaska and the Queen Charlotte Islands and had many trips to Smithers and Ontario to visit his kids and grandchildren.

Joe played crib with his family daily, always in search of the elusive 29 hand right up until he went into the hospital two weeks before he passed. He was never afraid to skunk anyone, and some of his best laughs were when he did.

A special thanks to the staff at Overlander Extended Care and the Royal Inland Hospital. Every nurse or care aide that met Joe said he was their absolute favorite patient and a pleasure to look after. Many even remembered him a year after he left the hospital when he returned and made special trips over to check on him. He was just that kind of man. Special thanks as well to Dr. Craig Montalbetti for his care and compassion.

There are not enough words to describe Joe, but a few would be: loving, caring, supportive, patient, devoted, and wise—and above all, the absolute best father!

Joe is cherished and loved by all who knew him and will never be forgotten.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Kamloops, with Fr. Thomas Arackal as the Celebrant.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com