With sadness we announce that Joe passed away suddenly but peacefully at the Buckingham, Quebec Hospital on the 12th of May 2021 at the age of 79. Born in St-Joseph de Coleraine, Eastern Townships, P.Q. Beloved best friend and husband of Marlene for almost 37 years. Father of Luc Drouin. Predeceased by parents Josaphat Drouin (1978), Irene Toupin (1994), son Andre Drouin (2020), and sister Jocelyne Drouin (2020). Also survived by siblings Jacques, Jean, Jean-Marc, Joane and many nieces and nephews as well as step-daughter Petra and step-granddaughter Virginia.
Joined the RCASC July 1958. 1961 at to Fort Chambly, Germany with NATO Forces. Returned to Canada 1965, served in Ottawa. 1966 first UN tour in Cyprus. April 1969, at the Cdn AB Regt in Edmonton, Alberta. Feb 1974, at the AB HQ & Sigs Sqn. With the Cdn AB Regt second tour in Cyprus during the 1974 Turkish invasion. Served in Montreal during the 1976 Olympics. July 1977 at the Cdn AB Centre. 1979 at Montreal and assigned to the UN on the Golan Heights. 1981, at 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Edmonton, AB. While with the Squadron, he was contributor to the development of the Squadron Museum and was instrumental in the recovery of one of the Squadron’s original Lancaster Bombers KB 994. Feb 1985 at CFLA, CFB Borden, ON. Joined St. John Ambulance that year. June 1987 at the OTC, CFSAL in CFB Borden, ON. Aug 1989, at National Defence HQ BADP/BATOPS project. June 1990, returned to CFB Borden, CFSAL, as School CWO. Aug 1992, retired from the Canadian Forces after more than 34 years of service and moved to Gatineau, Quebec. Sept 1992, joined the 28 (Ottawa) Svc Bn as CSM and Nov 1993 he appointed RSM. Retired from the Reserve Forces April 1995. Formed his own promotional company “Joe Drouin Enterprises Ltd.”
Jan 1996, appointed D/Prov Commissioner of St. John Ambulance and in June appointed the Aide de Camp to the Governor General his Excellency Romeo Leblanc and later her Excellency Adrienne Clarkson until Nov 2001. For 23 years as a member of St. John he had accumulated well of 25,000 hours of volunteer service to his community.
With his company, dedicated his work to the Cdn AB Regt, the RCASC, CAVUNP, Logistics Branch, the Navy, Army and Air Cadets, Police, Fire, Paramedics, and many others. Nov 2019, after 27 years, he sold his company and retired for the final time. Tremendous thanks to his wife and former employees who made the company a success and helped to make the name of the company known around the world.
Special thanks to the excellent and supportive staff at the Buckingham Hospital in Gatineau, Quebec. Joe’s wishes were to be cremated. A Memorial Gathering will be held for Family, Friends and Colleagues at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON, on Thursday, September 28th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made in Joe’s name to the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre at www.perleyrideau.ca or a charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
Claude et Annabelle VILLENEUVE
Al Gaudet
From your little brother in France who served with you
John D.J. Toupin Sgt(r) CD
Joe tu viens de faire ton dernier saut, Tu peux reposer en paix.
J'ai été très heureux d'avoir fais te connaissance et pour ton service au sein du Régiment aéroporté du Canada ou nous avons tous servi a Edmonton et Chypre en 1974.
Dominique et Tammy
Bon grand voyage mon oncle adopté Jules, nos pensés son pour toi, Marlene et ma deuxième famille qui sont les Drouin. Je garde de très beaux souvenirs de nos soirées à la cabane à sucre à canner du sirop et de jaser de tout avec toi. Tu étais un grand homme Jules, après avoir lu sur ce que tu a accomplit, je peux dire que je suis fier de t'avoir connu. Et svp, si tu croisse mon père là-haut dit lui bonjour pour moi svp. Ti-Tom et tammy
Kelly Schmidle
Very nice service for Joe!
Janie Rouleau Ringuette
Mes pensées sont avec Marlene et la famille pour l’énorme perte que vous avez subit. Mes plus sincères sympathies. Et je vais me permettre pour une dernière fois de signer comme Joe aimait bien me nommer : « Le petit général ».
Bill Osmond
So sad to hear the news of Joe's passing. He was a wonderful and giving person. I had the pleasure of his company on many occasions as he helped set up the initial Kit shop at 450 Tac Hel Sqn!
Sgt Rick Gladish, CD (Ret)
I worked with Joe in Edmonton, in the HQ and Signals Squadron. As well, we were deployed to Cyprus together during that conflict in 1974. I was so sorry to hear that he had passed. It goes without saying that Joe will certainly be missed,. Joe, say Hi to the Airborne Gang up there and see you soon...
Denis Turbide, CD WO Retired
Worked as a volunteer with Jos, in St John Ambulance Barrie On, for 5 years while stationed in CFB Borden. RIP Jos.
LCol (Rtd) Rod Paddon
You may have been all things to all people, but to me you were just the greatest friend and mentor anyone ever had. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Joe, pas facile de perdre son meilleur ami mais « c’est la vie » comme tu disais en bon soldat. Heureux d’avoir été avec toi dans ton « jump stick » pendant presque 30 ans et privilégié de t’avoir connu. Privilégié de surcroit de t’avoir accompagné jusqu’à la Montagne Ex Coelis où, maintenant, tu es l’un des gardiens avec d’autres frères d’armes. On se reverra là-bas. Reposez en paix SMR. Aurevoir mon copain.