Joseph Edward Neveu Obituary

Joseph Edward Neveu, 88, passed away suddenly at his home on Woodlake in Bracebridge, Ontario on February 14th, 2025, and is now reunited with his beloved wife Joan, of 38 years, who went to be with the Lord on September 5th, 2017.

Joe was born in Temiscaming, Quebec, on January 10, 1937, and lived on a dairy/potato farm with his parents Joseph and Therese and 8 siblings. He was predeceased by his siblings, Juiliette, Leon, Jeannine, Henri, Ulric, Gilberte and has 2 surviving sisters, Murielle and Mariette.

At 17, Joe entered the Army, serving 3 years of basic infantry training and light anti aircraft gunnery. He was stationed at bases in Val Cartier Quebec, Picton Ontario, and Gagetown New Brunswick.

Joe had a vast exciting work history. He worked at Good Year in Toronto, then in Mining Exploration in Uranium City, and Diamond Drilling in Elliot Lake, Haileybury Ontario and beyond. Joe then moved out west to Edmonton Alberta where he did seismic drilling. He also moved oil rigs to camps in the Artic Islands. Then Joe worked at a floating logging camp in British Columbia, and was a loader operator for log trucks in Nanaimo, BC.

He worked on the James Bay Project from 1975-1981 as a heavy machine operator, driving dozers, graders and dump trucks up to 150 tons. In the 80’s Joe worked on various pipeline projects in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. He shared plenty of his work adventures including being airlifted out of a wetland only hanging on to a helicopter landing rail.

In the mid 80’s Joe worked on constructing a log home in Port Carling, did tree removal all over Muskoka and most importantly started his passion project of building his own log home on Wood Lake. He used the boom logs he got from Temiscaming, Quebec and cherry trees from Woodlake, all of which he shaped and planed himself in local sawmills. Joe and his wife Joan worked on designing and building their beloved home which stands as a testament of their love with all the hand carved hearts adorning their house outside and in.

Joe was a consummate outdoors man who loved to hunt, fish, boat, snowshoe, ski and clear trees. Joe enjoyed woodworking and was very artistic in his creations as is clearly seen in the incredible woodworking projects he has done for others and his own home. He was an avid antique collector. He loved his Quebecois culture and history. He enjoyed French music and language. Joe took on any project big or small. If there was an obstacle in his way, he would find a way to remove it. Joe was altruistic. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and strangers alike. Joe loved people and people loved Joe. He easily met friends wherever he went.

A shared love of the outdoors, antiques and adventures brought together Joe and Joan, who he met on a ski trip after Joe had moved to Toronto in the 60’s. Their love of the outdoors and northern native culture saw them travel to the high Artic to visit with Eskimos. Before their new log home was built Joe and Joan could be found snowshoeing or cross-country skiing from the main highway to get to “Snoopy’s Haven”, the older cottage on Woodlake. They married February 9, 1979, at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Etobicoke. Joe and Joan were quite a team. Their complimentary gifts that they willingly shared, blessed countless people.

Joe loved to laugh, share stories, a good meal, gave the best bear hugs and vice grip handshakes. We will miss you, Joe! Forever in our hearts, until we meet again. “Woodlake Forever”

Visitation will be held at the Reynold’s Funeral Home, 1 Mary Street, Bracebridge on Saturday, March 1st, from 10:30am-12:30pm; followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 118 McMurray Street, Bracebridge at 1:00pm. Reception in the Church Hall from 2:00pm-3:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or South Muskoka Hospital Foundation.