CWO (Ret'd) Joseph Edward Duquette MMM, CD

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph (aka Duke, Smoking Joe, %$$*#+@, etc) Duquette at his home with the assistance of a wonderfully dedicated and committed group of heath care professionals from the pallative care team here in Orleans, Ontario. Joe's suffering from cancer ended and he was surrounded by his family.  

Born in St Jochim, Ontario, Joe's childhood ended way too early when his own father passed away when Joe was only 12 years old. Joe then began working early in life, including picking tobacco around Ridgetown, which also lead to 'rolling his own' at this same age. At 16, Joe joined the Canadian Army as a RCASC Soldier Apprentice in 1959 as a driver/mechanic. The 'Boy Soldier' program was two years in length, where Joe finished his secondary education and his trade qualifications.  Joe was awarded the Top Apprentice Award for his platoon, which was the start of a very successful military career. In 1963, Joe was posted to Germany and it was there he met a pretty, blond (though older) Australian woman (Betty), who became the love of his life and his wife. In 1966, they had their son Michael, and upon rotating back to Canada a year later, they welcomed their daughter Michele into the family. The military moved Joe and his family about every three years, and this also seemed to coincide with his quick, though well deserved, promotions through the ranks. Joe was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer at the young age of 39.  Joe completed almost 36-years of service, with the Canadian Armed Forces, when he retired in 1995. Joe settled down for the first time since he was 16 years old in Orleans, Ontario, with Betty.  

After traveling so much throughout their lives, Joe and Betty settled comfortably into retirement, and into their 'first' real home. They made it exactly how they envisioned, after all the years of military housing. Joe and Betty travelled parts of Canada and once to Australia, but Betty's breast cancers prohibited it to shorter trips.  Betty passed away in June 2022 and part of Joe also left then too; he was not the same without Betty. 

However, as with any person who spends a career in the military, they become known for being a certain way.  Joe could be a tough man who never let anyone, including those in his family, pass a fault (or anything) and you heard about it quickly. The night prior to Joe's passing, the Ottawa region had a violent lightning, thunder and rain storm and it seemed as though the gates of heaven (or hell)  knew Joe was coming. Psalm 23:4, which has been changed somewhat for Joe, but seems very fitting for that moment:

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for I am the meanest SOB in the valley..."

Joe was jumping out of airplanes in the military into his 40's, and he made his final exit on April 28, where he had the softest landing ever. He has now joined the love of his life, 'little Betty' and they are together again. 

Joe is survived by his sister Peggy Delmege (Murray), son Micheal (Nina), daughter Michele (Ben) and was a grandfather to Jordan, Tristan and Zachary. 

Many thanks to the entire Ottawa pallative health care team for their professionalism, dedication and kind treatment of Joe. The took care of all his needs (or demands) until his passing. The funeral for Joe will be private and for family only. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any Cancer foundation in the world.