Obituary of Joseph Henry Stack

It is with heartfelt sorrow that the family of Joseph Henry Stack announce his passing on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Born on July 6, 1938, in Saint John, Joe was a son of the late William and Bridget (Walton) Stack.  He was also the youngest of their family of four and, over the years, always proud to say that he was from the “old East end” that included Erin Street and Chubb Street.

Joe was employed with Canada Post for over 30 years.  He very much enjoyed this work, often explaining that his first real job was with NBTel, but he didn’t want to stay with them because he wanted to be working outside and, so, being a letter carrier suited him very well.  He won a number of awards over the years, but was best known for being President of Local 6, Letter Carriers Union of Canada, in Saint John.  He was a serious union leader, but also enjoyed many shenanigans with his pals including Gerry Lowe.  Joe was also an entrepreneur.  He owned apartment buildings on the West Side and was a well-respected landlord for many years; he co-owned various local bars including The Golden Lion and the El Diaz; and, of course, he was the owner of the much-loved Joe’s Canteen on the Kingston Peninsula.  Joe’s Canteen was legendary for its lobster rolls and enormously oversized ice cream cones.   

Joe was lucky enough to have two very wonderful women in his life.  He loved the Kingston Peninsula and he moved there in the late 70s with his first wife, Marjorie, and their family of pets – Skipper, Crazy Cat and Frisky.  His second wife, Doreen, provided Joe the opportunity to have an extended family full of fun and antics with Randy (Doreen’s son) and Tina and their children and grandchildren.  He was a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. 

He was very active at St. Bridget’s Church and the Legion Branch 62.  At St. Bridget’s, he attended mass regularly, of course, but also volunteered extensively.  This included anything necessary as Joe was always ready to lend a hand.  Joe very much enjoyed helping raise money through church suppers (and there was never a church supper Joe missed attending).  As for the Legion, Joe was a Life Member and played an integral role in many projects and fundraising activities over the 20+ years that he was involved.  Joe was the President for three terms and spent many years on the Executive.  He was known for his dedication to the Sunday brunches; he volunteered at each Canada Day event; and was part of the Poppy Campaign for  20 years (many of which, he could be found selling poppies on the Gondola Point ferries for day-long shifts rain or shine).  He loved his work with the scholarships and found it very rewarding to work with students heading into post-secondary education as well.  Of course, his biggest interest was with crib.  He brought crib into The Legion and made it a weekly event, where it gained popularity quickly and continues to be a staple in their program of events. 

Joe did not only play crib at The Legion but was a regular at the Fairvale Outing Association and proudly showed off his plaque from this Association for scoring a perfect cribbage hand of 29.  He liked to show this off, especially to family-competitors including Elias, Theresa, and Gerald.  When he wasn’t playing crib, Joe could be found at any church supper, ‘salmon supper’ and/or hanging around the Kingston Farmers Market, in which he was a proud shareholder.  For many years, he was also a devoted volunteer with Meals on Wheels.    

Joe is survived by five nieces – Mary-Elena, Monica (also Joe’s God-Daughter), Heather, Bridget Hornyak, and Mary Ellen White – and two nephews –

Tom Sudsbear and Shane Sudsbear; several grand-nieces and grand-nephews; stepchildren – Randy Chetley (Tina) and Wayne, three grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, sister-in-law Ramona Stack, and a large extended family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Besides his parents, Joe is predeceased by his wives Marjorie Stack and Doreen Stack, brothers; Gerald (Jeannie) and William Stack, sister Theresa Sudsbear (Peter), his niece Dorothy Sudsbear, and his nephew (and favourite crib partner) Gerald Stack. 

A special note from Mary-Elena:  Thank you to Kennebec Manor for their compassion and care towards Joe.  This thank you is not only to staff, but to the wonderful residents that became our friends.  As well, thank you to staff from the Extra Mural Program (most notably Barb Butler who continued to follow Joe’s journey while at Kennebec) and to the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick for their ongoing support and advice.  Special thank you to Allyson Stack.  Her knowledge in the health care field allowed us to always feel supported in every way.      

Resting at Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road (506-849-2119) with visiting on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, with a Legion Tribute will take place at 6 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, Chapel Grove, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 11AM, with visiting one hour prior to the Mass. A reception will be held at Legion Branch 62 following the funeral.  Interment to take place at St. Bridget’s Cemetery at a later date. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed on Joe’s obituary at www.kennebecasisfh.com  Donations in memory of Joe may be made to St. Bridget’s Catholic Church or to RCL Branch #62.