Obituaries

I so regret not getting together again. Paul's illness kept us apart and I so wanted to meet his family. Bonnie and children Etc and to see if Kerrie remembered us . We were all so young when we met but Joe was the best. A lifelong friend even though we didn’t see each other and yes , he tortured me with his teasing . 😂Paul has many physical disabilities and early dementia….. so many times I wanted to explain cause then we could meet. I’m sure Joe and Bonnie would be cool with it once I stopped crying for 10 years. He cannot play guitar at all anymore. And very little harmonica. I’m so sorry I never got to explain by and reconnect . I am very glad we knew him, shared our crazy adventures and treasured him as a unique special loyal teasing brilliant guy. Fair weather to your heels Joe Bonnie. He loved you so much and wanted us to meet you. Who knows. It could happen. But my heart is broken he passed before we could share a drink and a laugh … the four of us.

Condolence Message for Joe Phillips

It is with a heavy heart that I send my deepest condolences to Bonnie and the entire Phillips family. Joe was more than just a supervisor to me—he was a mentor, a teacher, and an incredible source of knowledge and wisdom. When I first started at Meridian, I knew very little about the job, but Joe took me under his wing and taught me everything from scratch. He had a way of explaining things that made even the most complicated tasks seem simple. His patience and willingness to share his expertise set him apart from so many others.

Joe was one of the hardest-working men I have ever known. He took pride in everything he did, and that dedication was contagious. He always found ways to improve things, making processes more efficient and ensuring that every task was done to the highest standard. Even today, the paint line at Meridian still follows his methods and tricks for solving problems. His legacy is deeply embedded in the work he did, and his impact will be felt for years to come.

Beyond his skills and intelligence, Joe was incredibly creative. He had a knack for troubleshooting and finding solutions that no one else would think of. Whenever an issue arose, he wouldn’t just fix it—he would improve upon it. His innovative mindset set the foundation for many of the practices still in use today. I often marveled at his ability to think outside the box, and I feel privileged to have learned from him.

But Joe was more than just a great supervisor—he was an even greater person. His sense of humor made even the toughest days bearable. No matter how busy or stressful things got, he always found a way to make us laugh. He had this unique way of teasing people that made them feel like they were part of something special, part of his circle. His presence brought warmth and energy to the workplace, and that is something we will all miss dearly.

Joe's passion for life extended far beyond his work. He loved his family deeply and spoke of them often. It was clear that they were the center of his world, and he worked hard not just for himself, but for them. The way he talked about Bonnie and his children showed just how much they meant to him. He was a family man in every sense, always putting the people he loved first.

Another thing that defined Joe was his love for sports, especially the Saskatchewan Roughriders. His enthusiasm for the game was unmatched, and he never missed an opportunity to talk about his team. He could turn any conversation into a discussion about football, and his passion was infectious. I’ll always think of Joe whenever I see the Riders play, knowing how much joy the game brought him.

Golf was another one of Joe’s favorite pastimes, and he often spoke about it with great excitement. Whether he was playing on a course or just enjoying the idea of having his own "golf course" in his backyard, it was something that brought him immense happiness. The little things in life seemed to bring Joe the greatest joy, and that’s something I truly admired about him.

Even though Joe has left this world, his influence remains. His teachings, his wisdom, and his kindness will continue to live on in those of us who had the privilege of knowing him. He was the kind of person who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His absence will be deeply felt, but his memory will never fade.

Joe, you were truly special. There will never be another like you. You made a difference in so many lives, and I am forever grateful to have been one of those people. Rest in peace, my friend. You will always be remembered with great respect and admiration.

To Bonnie and the family, my heart is with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the countless memories of Joe and the love he shared with you all. His legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone he touched.

My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time; we both retired from Meridian about the same time and one thing that has stuck with me is Joe always talking about his golf course in his back yard, since then every time I pass a minigolf, I thought of Joe... rest in peace

Bonnie, Bryce and family, We were saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. Please take care of yourselves through this time of loss and remember the wonderful times you have shared.
Kenn and Ronda Schmalenberg

My condolences to Bonnie and family.

I'll remember Joe as a funny family guy who was a great teaser and influencer. Rest in Peace,

Don Meikle

Bonnie & Family, so sorry to hear of the loss of Joe. Many memories of great times together.

To Bonnie and family. Our deepest sympathy for your loss

Rest in peace my friend

We feel this deeply with you. We love you Kevin and Cindy. Condolences to the entire family.

Very proud to have known Joe