Joseph G. Gilpin

Peacefully passed away on Monday, November 7, 2022 at Parkwood Hospital with family at his side, at age 87. Beloved husband of over 65 years to Elizabeth. Loving father of Darryl (Cathy), Jeff, Lynda (Paul) and proud grandfather of Sarah, Jennifer, Ethan and Logan. Survived by his sister, Pat Gilpin and missed by several nieces and nephews.

In 1958, Joe spent some time in the Air Force reserves in New Brunswick where he worked on several different airplanes and maintained their operations. Joe was a graduate of Western University and Wayne State University where he received both his B.A. and M.Ed. Joe began his teaching career in Strathroy at Colborne Street P.S. and later moved to London where he began serving with the Thames Valley School Board at Riverside. He was then promoted to vice principal at Empress and later as principal back at Riverside. He also served at Lord Elgin P.S. where he conducted the “Head Start” program during the summers. Joe was at Lorne Ave., and while at Lord Roberts he was principal of the first French Immersion class which started with 19 kindergarten students – it has grown to well over 1000 students. Later, he was at Prince Charles and finally at Chippewa where he worked with the largest Cambodian Heritage Language program in Ontario. It was there that Joe retired. Joe was very dedicated to children’s education and development, and after retiring he drove a school bus for Murphy Bus Lines. A highlight of Joe’s career was receiving an award from the Saint John Ambulance Association for saving the life of a young Knollwood P.S. student by using CPR. He loved watching and playing basketball, baseball and football while at Medway High School. It was through his love of basketball that he met his wife, Elizabeth who also became a teacher and taught in the primary grades. He was very dedicated to his home and school community and was made a life-time member of both Prince Charles and Chippewa Home and School Association.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Parkwood Hospital who cared for Joe while he was palliative. Furthermore, the EMS teams who played some key roles in his care over the past year deserve credit. We also wish to include the great team of staff at University Hospital who deserve our gratitude.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, with a service to follow at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.