Obituary of Joseph Seward

SEWARD, Melvin Joseph “Joe” – Born January 13, 1935 in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia proud son of a coal miner.  He went to elementary and high school in Sydney Mines and graduated from London Teacher College in 1960.  Joe was a graduate of the University of Windsor in 1971.  He started his teaching career as a “6 week wonder” in Ontario and then began as a teacher and the first principal at St. John Fischer School in Forest with the Forest Separate School Board. Joe’s career expanded as he became a vice principal, principal and ended his career as a guidance counsellor at St. Patrick’s school for 14 years.  Joe retired in 1990 at the age of 55 and he never looked back.  He then became a dedicated volunteer at the local hospitals as a Eucharist Minister and joyfully volunteered every Friday afternoon at Marshall Gowland Manor as their happy hour bartender. Joe was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mercy Church and 3^rd degree, life member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 1429 and the Retired Teachers of Ontario.  Joe was the only Canadian and last survivor of the original crew that worked at the first ever McDonalds in San Bernadino, California in late 50’s. He was a great story teller and always ready with a funny joke.  

Joe died peacefully at Bluewater Health, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at the age of 86.  Beloved husband of Elsie (nee Van Gaver).  Loving father of Craig Seward & his partner Isabel Casali, Point Edward and Loy Marie Roestenberg & her husband Gerry, Lucan.  Cherished grandfather of Steven & Michael, Graham.   Joe was the youngest of 9 children.  He is survived by his sister Eleanor Seward MacDougall.  Brother-in-law of Aileen Jean (late Richard), Toronto, Margaret Baker (Larry), Toronto.  Predeceased by his parents Samuel & Margaret Seward and 5 sisters and 2 brothers. 

                “Joe may only have been 5’10 but the world has lost a giant of a man”

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial visitation will be held at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia on Monday, July 26, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (reservations not required). Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Church.  Interment to follow at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. Please note that masks/face coverings are mandatory and maximum visitors at one time and social distancing will be strictly enforced. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to L’Arche Canada Foundation, 300-10271 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 3B5 or the Catholic Missions in Canada, 201-1155 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4T 1W2.   Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com