1926 – 2015

Known as “Big Joe,” Uncle Joe, Dad, Opa and Santa to many, Joe Nussli passed away July 28, 2015 in Vernon, B.C.

Joe is survived by his brother Werner (Gerda) Nussli of Calgary; his sister Marie (Sigi) Lehmann of Calgary; his daughters Tessa (Larry) Towne of Maple Ridge; Natalie (Mike) Roberts of Vernon; grandchildren Travis (Jenn), Kate (Dale), Riker (Therese) and Austin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Margereta, and his brother, Hans.

Born April 7, 1926 in Bonningsted, Germany to Fridolin and Amanda Maria Marta Nussli, Joe moved to Canada December 12, 1951, landing in St. John, N.B. before heading to Kingston, Ont., where he worked on a dairy farm.

He moved to Calgary, Alta. in 1952 to work at the Palliser Hotel as a meat cutter in the kitchen. He then headed to Golden, B.C. April 1, 1955 to work at the Wenger family sawmill. A skilled cook, Joe cooked in logging camps and at Big Bend Café. He later worked at the Evans Sawmill.

He and his former wife, Ingeburg, were the proud parents of daughters Tessa and Natalie, and the family moved to Vernon in February 1977.

Joe spent many years as a foreman at Riverside Forest Products until his retirement March 26, 1991.

But retirement didn’t slow Joe down; he kept himself busy by cooking, entertaining family and friends at backyard gatherings, swimming at the Rec Centre pool and playing Santa at countless Christmas parties over the years. To generations of children, a visit from Santa Joe was the highlight of the holiday season.

The family gives special thanks to the caring nurses on 2W at Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Dr. Louis Boucher.

A service for Joe will be held Saturday, August 1 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1406 – 32nd Avenue, Vernon.

“Wherever you are, you’ll pull up a chair,

tell a few stories and make a new friend.” 

— Love you, Dad xoxo