May 12, 1936 - November 24, 2022
Joe, 86, passed away peacefully at Peace Arch Hospice in Surrey, BC on November 24, 2022.
Joe was born May 12, 1936, in Hamburg, Germany to Reinhold & Elsa Pusch, the third of five children. In 1958, he left Germany for Canada where he settled in Vancouver, BC.
Shortly after, he was joined by his future wife, Helga, who also immigrated to Canada from Hamburg. They married in 1959 and together had three sons: Oliver, Dennis, and Marc.
After an initial career with Kuehne & Nagel, Joe founded Cratex Industrial Packing Ltd. in 1975. This is where he left an indelible mark and is widely regarded as a pioneer in the export crating industry. He led Cratex until retirement whereupon he handed the reins to his eldest son, Oliver.
Even in retirement, Joe would regularly come into the office to be around the company he loved so much.
Joe also loved woodworking. Trained as a cabinet maker in Germany, he always had a workshop nearby - in the basement, in the garage, and later at two Cratex facilities. From turning pens on the lathe to building furniture, woodworking was always Joe's passion. Right up to his passing, he was still sketching diagrams and planning projects.
A man of deep faith and conviction, Joe was a member of three churches in the Vancouver area over the years: Immanuel Baptist Church (Vancouver), Johnston Heights Church (Surrey) and White Rock Baptist Church.
Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helga (nee Knoff); his three sons: Oliver (Lee), Dennis (Chantelle), and Marc; grand-children Natasha (Marc), Jordan (Laura), Matthew, Max and Bella; his brothers Matthias (Marion) and Carsten (Brigitte) in Germany; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, and older siblings Renate and Reinhart.
A private funeral has been held. A public memorial event will take place in the new year. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joe's name to any of these three worthwhile charities: BC Cancer Foundation, Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, and Union Gospel Mission.
They all do meaningful work and any financial contribution will be of tremendous benefit.
We will miss our husband, father and Opa dearly, however we are grateful that his pain and suffering are over.
Rest in peace Joe.