It is with profound sadness that the family of Emil Joseph Ouellette, announce his passing on July 8, 2021 at age 64, after his battle with cancer.
Joe will be lovingly remembered by his cherished friend:
Debbie Walke Macdonald
Joe is survived by his family:
Son; Daniel (Lia)
Daughters; Krista, Nicole, Melody
Brothers; Wayne, David, Paul, Michael (Corinna)
Sisters; Donna (Tom) Catherine (Greg)
Grandson; Keane Ouellette
And beloved nieces and nephews
Joe was predeceased by his parents;
Joseph and Teresa Ouellette
As a young boy, Joe purchased his first guitar and had it placed on lay-away. He would visit the music store after school and the owner would let Joe play the guitar. Over time, he gradually paid down the account. His oldest brother Wayne surprised Joe by paying off the remaining balance, so that Joe got his guitar sooner. Joe’s parents liked to play guitar. His mother leaned towards country style, while his father was a classical player. Joe enjoyed classical as well.
Joe’s life passion was photography, and his mother bought him his first camera. Due to his exceptional abilities in math, he worked out a deal with his math teacher at Bayview Secondary High School in Richmond Hill. As long as he had his math homework done in advance, he would be excused from his math classes to spend time working on his photography and in the dark room.
He became a very influential and accomplished photographer and a fabulous teacher. His photographs were often used in tourism. He also loved to make videos and had a talent for finding the perfect music match.
He loved indie music and Leonard Cohen.
He was proud of the kit car he built in his parents driveway, using a Volkswagen chassis.
When he was a teenager, Joe was a passenger on a snowmobile, which was involved in a serious accident. His friend died and Joe was left with terrible life long injuries due to the damage to his upper spine. These injuries led to bouts of paralysis, muscle weakness in his legs, muscle joint pain, and breathing difficulties. Many symptoms in different parts of his body would appear and then subside over the years. He became deaf in one ear and had unexplained double vision. He was mistakenly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and given steroids, which almost caused him to die due to an allergic reaction to the drug. He was subsequently fired from his job once his employer found out he had Multiple Sclerosis.
He would always remember the day he went into the bank to pay his credit card bill. The teller knew him well and forgave the outstanding account. He had tears that day. He was so short of money and the kindness that people showed him was overwhelming.
Another incorrect diagnosis was ALS. Three years ago the doctor felt Joe might have contracted lyme disease. It always seemed to be a guessing game.
From the Cat scans and MRI’s taken during the last few weeks of his life, the doctors discovered Joe had stage 4 cancer, arthritis, and had suffered a stroke at the back of his neck earlier in his life. In a sense, Joe felt some relief that he was finally getting a proper diagnosis. He lived in constant pain but he always found a reason to keep enjoying life.
His smile would light up a room. He was a man that was happy with very little. He was the guy that had fun sitting with the ladies in the kitchen catching up with fun news. He would light up when he shared a story from the past about one of his children. He always had great stories to add to the conversation.
Joe invented and designed a Jib/Dolly/Remote & Glide Dolly, and he named it “The Navigator”. It had three different remote heads. He had a brilliant mind and loved to come up with easier ways to complete a task. He did very well when he sold this invention.
Joe wrote a number of books, such as: “The Prophetic Manual”, “Majesties of His Kingdom”, “Rebekka Downing“, and “The Lily” which he turned into a screenplay.
He also hosted a YouTube channel where he shared his spiritual stories.
Joe was dearly loved by so many. He always showed up in people’s lives when they needed him most. He was always on time. If he felt injustice being done to other people he would intervene and provide a solution.
He worked for a dental company, and was their best technician. He could fix anything. The owner of the company sent Joe on a big job at one of the Toronto Hospitals. It was suggested to Joe that he should sell the hospital an expensive new machine. Once Joe arrived and began troubleshooting, he discovered a simple repair at very little cost. Joe knew that hospitals spend a lot of time raising funds to purchase these machines. The dental company lost a huge sale and Joe lost his job! Another dental company quickly hired him because of his integrity and his innovative ability to repair machinery.
He had an uncanny ability to find happiness in daily activities. His soft-spoken voice, beautiful smile that would light up a room, forgiving personality, and witty jokes were contagious to everyone he met. His words of encouragement could be the spark that pushed a person forward. He would say, “If we do everything with a good heart and expect nothing in return, we will never be disappointed. Stay close to people who feel like sunshine who make you feel valued and appreciated.”
Joe had very little but he was one of the most generous souls you would ever meet. Simple pleasures brought great joy to Joe. He loved a scenic road trip, especially if it ended up at Lake Huron to capture the perfect sunset or Georgian Bay for the wonderful waves. He would always be up for an ice cream cone too, especially salted caramel.
He was so happy to go on one last trip to Sauble Beach with Debbie a few days before rushing to the hospital. He told her that after the radiation treatments were done, he would like to go for another swim together. They both knew that this might not happen. He asked Debbie to fulfill that wish for him. So he will get that last swim after all.
“You glow differently when you are actually happy”
A wee bit of Heaven drifted down from above.
A handful of happiness,
A heart full of love.
The mystery of life,
So sacred and sweet
The giver of joy so deep and complete.
Precious and priceless, so lovable too.
The world‘s sweetest miracle, all wrapped up in you, our Joe
Joe will be laid to rest at Wasaga Beach Cemetery, surrounded by his family.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com. Please visit Joe's obituary notice on Facebook.