Marsel, Joe Marsel
October 25, 1941 – October 3, 2014
On Friday October 3, 2014, Joseph (Joe) Marsel of Oliver passed away at the South Okanagan General Hospital at the age of 72 years. He was born on October 25, 1941 in Victoria, BC and raised in Olalla, BC.
Predeceased by father, mother, brothers Sonny and Bert; sisters Linda and Lila.
Joe will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Marilyn; three children Roxy (Darcy) Dunford, Cindy (Rick) Smallwood, and Andy (Samantha) Marsel; grandchildren – Thomas, Drew, Nate, Tanaya, Kalli, Tyson, Reese, and Violet; siblings – Kay, Nancy, Rose, Dolly, Diane, Len, Nina, Dan, Pete, and Wendy and their spouses as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Working was Joe’s hobby… he started working at a very young age, ground cropping in Olalla. At age 14, (saying he was 16), he got a job with the paving crew, paving the highway into Oliver. When that job finished, he continued working in Oliver, and in fact, Oliver became Joe’s home. In 1961, Joe married Marilyn Cook, and raised their family Roxy, Cindy and Andy. They bought their first home on the corner of Highway 97 and Island Rd. They later built a new home, again on this same corner piece, a little further back from the highway.
Joe started working with Fred Hack, doing landscaping within the town of Oliver and working his second job at the Oliver Sawmills. By working these two jobs, he worked 13 months that year! Joe went on to work for ‘Bob Iverson Logging’. This business sold to ‘Bill Taylor’ and Joe became a Loader Operator. When Oliver Sawmills closed, Joe ran with his passion for logging, and started his own business ‘Marsel Logging’ contracting for Weyerheauser Canada.
As Weyerheauser was closing, Joe very slowly gave up logging and started ‘Marsel & Son Trucking’, supplying landscaping materials, and bringing son Andy, into the family owned & operated business.
Though Joe & Marilyn travelled to many parts of the world, Oliver was their home. Joe was always there for his family or whomever else needed a hand.
Joe worked hard and played hard. This was his motto!
Celebration of life will be held at Oliver Community Centre on Saturday October 11, 2014 at 2:00 pm — 6359 Park Drive, Oliver, BC