BENNS, Joe

Joseph William Benns, of Mount Forest, passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener on Thursday, November 21st, 2019 in his 72nd year. Special friend of Joyce Barham of Mount Forest. Eldest brother of Mark and his wife Marilyn of London, Linda and her late husband Sam Zambri of Markham, John and his wife Julie of Mount Forest, and Ross and his wife Christine of Mount Albert. Lovingly remembered by special aunt Vera “Mamie” Viron of Toronto, his nieces and nephews; Greg, Rocky, Elizabeth, Johnny, Joseph, Sadi, Samantha and their spouses Natasha, Dayana, Ruben and Matthew. He also loved all of his great-nieces; Brea, Valentina, Victoria, Lucilia, Sabrina, Jacqueline and great-nephew Luciano. Predeceased by parents Dorothy and Emerson Benns. Joe spent most of his life in the Scarborough area but resided in Mount Forest for the past 6 years. During this time he made lots of friends throughout the town and at Birmingham Lodge where he resided. Apart from the love of his family and Joyce, Joe had a passion for the horse races and proline. Although he didn’t always make the right picks he kept on trying. Joe will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him including his dialysis patient friends at the Palmerston Hospital and his drivers. The long time suffering of juvenile diabetes are over and he is in peace now with those who have passed before him. Cremation has taken place. A come and go Celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Sunday, December 15th from 1:00 – 4:00pm at the Mount Forest Legion, 140 King Street West, Mount Forest to share a story and help celebrate the life of a man who loved hard and played harder, living life his way. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Diabetes Canada would be appreciated by the family and may be made by contacting the England Funeral Home, Mount Forest.