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In memory of

Joseph Kerr

Toronto, ON, Canada

January 5, 1942 - June 12, 2019

Jan 5, 1942 - Jun 12, 2019

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The word most often used to describe Joe was ‘lovely’, though almost as often people said “Joe was incredible”. He would have scoffed at both, but anyone who met him knew that his genuine interest in everyone he met, his passion for work and voracious reading to figure out how the world operated, and his low-key but patently obvious love for his family knew nothing about Joe was ordinary.

Joe passed peacefully at home in his 77th year, after a lifetime of doing exactly what he liked best – reading, Sudoku, and having long conversations with people he liked about everything interesting – politics, management, tennis, NCAA basketball, families, science, and much more.

Joe was born in Belfast, the second of six children born to Alice and Leo, and spent his young life surpassing expectations. After a serious childhood illness he wasn’t expected to survive, Joe went on to become an excellent student at Queen’s University Belfast, making lifelong friends, before emigrating to Canada in his 20s, along with his family.

Joe completed an MBA at U of T, went on to work in the accounting department at Eaton’s, and spent his leisure time playing sports – which worked out, since he one day met a badminton player named Joan Stewart. Joe enjoyed the meeting so much he would later marry Joan, and introduced her twin sister Jean to his then-colleague Jim Riffel. Joe and Joan spent 44 happy years together – raising their sons Michael and Sean, playing and watching tennis and golf, and making many great friends, including many he met during his many years at Unilock – a job he enjoyed so much he earnestly told his boys they should follow in his footsteps, and ‘find a job you love’.

In 1982 Joe met Ed Bryant and became an integral part of the growth of Unilock, a paving stone company that quickly expanded all over Canada and the U.S. As he spent years tirelessly growing the business (and proudly taught everyone he knew how to identify Unilock stones) Joe developed an unshakable reputation for being smart, thoughtful, and unfailingly committed to his large black binder, and his impact was felt even after he retired.

Joe spent his retirement enjoying winters in University Park, Florida, with his wife Joan and many guests, reading everything he could get his hands on, and delighting in the friends he met and tennis games he played at the University Park Country Club. He also loved the High Park Curling & Lawn Tennis Club in Toronto, particularly enjoying the grass courts. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandson Theodore, helping him build LEGO and questioning the logic of several preschool shows and books.

Joe, who is predeceased by his parents and brother Christopher, will be remembered as a tennis enthusiast, a voracious reader, an engaging conversationalist, and a beloved husband, brother, uncle, grandfather, colleague, and friend. His surviving family includes his brothers Terry and wife Didi, of San Antonio, TX, Leo of Perth, AUS, Brian of Toronto, ON, and sister Marie & husband Jerry of Windsor, ON, as well as his many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Joe’s life will take place at the High Park Curling & Tennis Club on July 22nd at 3:00 PM – please note funeral attire is not necessary. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s name can be made to Answering TTP (answering ttp.org) or the Luso Canadian Charitable Society (lusoccs.org)

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It's hard to believe five years have passed since my precious brother Joe passed away. I couldn't have had a better bro…

It's hard to believe five years have passed since my precious brother Joe passed away. I couldn't h…

It's hard to believe five years have passed since my precious br…

A great house mate and colleague

I just learned of Joe’s passing now. I was one of his roommates before he married Joan. He was always so supportive of …

I just learned of Joe’s passing now. I was one of his roommates before he married Joan. He was alwa…

I just learned of Joe’s passing now. I was one of his roommates …