It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the family of Josiph “Joe” Bene, age 56 years, announces his passing on Monday, February 20, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born on September 7, 1960 in Budrovci Draganci, Croatia, son of Ivan and Ana Bene.
In 1971 along with his family, Joe immigrated to Thunder Bay where he attended elementary and high schools. He then completed and finished an Auto Body Trades Apprenticeship in a Hamilton college, which was followed by working in various different auto body shops. In 1979, Joe began his employment with St. Joseph’s Hospital in the environmental services department. During these past 37 years, Joe was always a devoted employee. He would enjoy each and every day at work with all of his co-workers which eventually developed into many close friendships.
Anyone who has ever met Joe knew him as a very thoughtful, kind, caring, and loving individual who never spoke ill of people. He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Joe appreciated life to be very simple, filled with interesting conversations and having a strong faith. When Joe was not at work, he enjoyed puttering around at home, fishing trips with family and friends, being outdoors, and driving around town in his Chevy truck.
After many years of passing one another in the hallways at work and engaging in small talk, Joe finally worked up the courage to ask his beloved wife Loredana on a date. It was instant love, and the two were married in 2003. Joe was an active member of the Alpini Association of Thunder Bay.
Joe will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his devoted wife Loredana, parents Ivan and Ana Bene, sister Barica (John) Kolic, mother and father-in-law Silvana and Ido Caratti, brothers-in-law Claudio (Judy) and Lucio (Nicole) Caratti, along with numerous nieces and nephews, as well as family in Hamilton and Croatia. Predeceased by his grandparents Barbara and Josip Bene, Maria and Imbro Grahac.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2017 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, presided by Rev. Fr. Gordon Holroyd and Rev. Fr. Luigi Filippini. Services will conclude in the chapel with cremation to follow. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers if friends so desire, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to TBRHSF- Discovery Fund- Cancer Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, or a Charity of Choice.
