Condolences
I was saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. My condolences to all his family. I met Joe in 1979. Five of us had been picked from AGT to work on developing the world’s first cellular phone system. Joe and Ken Scales were the brilliant minds of the operation which we fronted doing pipeline controls work. We were told that a cell system interfaced to the existing wide range of telephone exchanges and using radio frequencies that had never been used was impossible but Joe was adamant we could do it - and we did! He kept us going at it until all the impossible challenges had been solved. I especially remember heading to the Bruin pub one Friday after work. There was a technical challenge we just couldn’t figure out. Bashing it around over beers the answer suddenly hit us. Joe asked the waitress for a bunch of napkins so we could draw the design right there. She brought 10. Joe smiled and said “we need LOTS of napkins - bring us all that you’ve got and tape too!” I’m sure she thought he was crazy but she brought them. We pushed a bunch of tables together, taped all the napkins together and completed the design of the system. Then we all went straight back to work to build it. About 9:00 our wives started phoning, not quite believing initially that really we had been back at work for hours - they figured we had been in the pub the whole time then back to work at the last minute! Joe was brilliant, determined and a loyal friend. I admired him greatly and will remember him and that year doing the impossible.
As a family we wanted to express our condolences and our sympathy for your loss of Joseph. Keeping you and your family in my warmest thoughts as you navigate this difficult time—and wishing you hope and healing.
It was back in '76 when I joined the Mobile Communications group at AGT that I first met Joe. I distinctly remember he was doing a Vulcan mind link with his waste basket. And right there I knew he was my kind of people. He was brilliant in an eccentric, fun sort of way and would throw out ideas in his rapid-fire delivery. Or he would cock his head like a bird if something puzzled him. We shared a lot of laughs in the few years I knew him.
I never saw him again after I left AGT, but he was one of those people who's path you briefly cross, but never forget. Thanks for the memories my friend.
Joe was a dear friend of my Dad’s and worked together in the 80’s. Though we moved from Calgary, our families kept in touch. My Mom and I are saddened about Joe’s passing. Oddly, he left on the anniversary of my Dad’s passing years ago and at the same age. I’m hoping they are having some good times together now. RIP. Heartfelt condolences from the Chu family to Darlean, Adam, Stephanie and other family members.
I was so very, very sad to hear of Joseph’s passing. He was such a wonderful man and the smartest person I knew. It is not the quantity of time you spend with loved ones, but the quality of time, and I know that you would agree, that you were very blessed every day that you had with Joseph. I will always remember his kindness and generosity. My heart breaks for you Darlean, Adam and Stephanie.
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