Passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the age of 78. Joseph was born on March 17, 1946, in Lieshout, Holland to parents Gerardus and Francisca Van Hoof.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years Irena Maria, his sons Edwardo Julian and Christopher Leonardo, granddaughter Scarlett Julia, and 13 of his 14 siblings, as well as dozens of extended family members and many friends.
Joseph immigrated from Holland in 1955. He grew up in Petawawa, resided in Bowmanville, Pickering, Oshawa, and Windsor, and settled in Huntsville to raise his young family with Irena.
Officer Van Hoof began his career with the OPP in 1973. He worked in many roles including the Motorcycle Patrol and Marine Unit. He began his community outreach by connecting with young public school students in his role as Community Officer, educating students about safety, legal rights, and responsibilities through VIP. The proudest moments in his career were in Huntsville High School, creating and filling the role of School Liaison Officer. Joseph is best known to educators and especially students as the one and only “Constable Joe”.
Joseph loved boating, hunting, working on his acreage outside town, and in later years playing cards, crosswords, sudoku, and summers at Aylen Lake with family and sitting in his favourite chair watching for deer in the backyard.
A Celebration of Life – Meet and Greet, will be held at Billingsley Funeral Home on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to the Table Food Bank in Huntsville or the Salvation Army Food Bank – in Huntsville in Joseph’s memory. Messages of condolence can be left at www.billingsleyfuneralhome.com
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Constable Joe was a true asset to our community, as an officer but also as a community member. I remember doing an interview with him, discussing some of the things he found interesting during a regular day. Always the people of our town first, and then he also challenged himself by reading and memorizing 4 or 5 licence plate numbers at a time just to keep his mind sharp. We all made it a point to try that, and we all failed miserably.
Condolences to his family.
A truly gentle soul that represented the opp in a degree that is not any longer ..thanks for.your duty aswell another great officer that you worked with officer klodnicki ..you guys were the elite
Condolences to Joe’s family.
I have fond memories of Joe, working with my Dad, Harry Brown, on the VIP. Program.
I also remember a sugarbush party where Joe and Irena walked home. Or tried to. There was a shortcut to Fowler’s Road through our sugarbush. But in the dark, they ended up back at the house. Where they proceeded to go the long way around, via the road.
He will be missed.