Obituary of Reverend Joseph Volker Strohhofer

A recording of the service is available below

It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Father Joe at Pasqua Hospital on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Predeceased by his parents, Dr. Josef Strohhofer (1972) and Mrs. Erika Strohhofer (2012); as well as three siblings. He is survived by seven siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Father Joe was born in Germany on December 22, 1940. The family travelled to Austria and onward to France where Father Joe attended a Catholic Elementary School. The family came to Canada in 1953 and made their home in Ponteix, Saskatchewan.

Father Joe entered College Matthieu in Gravelbourg where he completed his education and earned a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Classical Studies. He continued his studies at the Grand Seminary – St. Thomas d’Aquin in Ottawa.

On June 9, 1965 Father Joe was ordained to the priesthood in Ponteix; Monseigneur Aime Decosse officiating at Notre Dame d’Auvergne Church.

Between the years 1966 to 2020, Father Joe became a well known figure throughout South East Saskatchewan as he served as pastor in towns and missions: Willow Bunch, Fife Lake, Coronach, Ponteix, Cadillac, Lac Pelletier, Gravelbourg, St. Victor, Mankota, Billimun, Homenmore, Ferland, Assiniboia, Mossbank, Kennedy, Kipling, Wawota, Lafleche, Glentworth, Wood Mountain and Val Marie. He truly loved celebrating Holy Mass and delivering homilies. His faith and belief in the Catholic Church was true, strong and solid.

Father Joe was an avid reader; he enjoyed stepping out to the local coffee shop, a book in hand. He enjoyed his time on the computer, spending hours reading, writing and yes, playing chess online with his siblings and others.

Father Joe loved to travel. Summer holidays found him driving the family station wagon, under our mother’s vigilant care, along with his younger siblings. Camping gear packed and off to Vancouver Island, California, North and South Dakota, Montreal 1967 Expo, are some destinations he favoured. Hiking and swimming were an integral part of these outings. Father Joe was well loved by his family as he was steady, funny and always had interesting ideas and stories.

His travels also took him back to Germany when his uncle asked for him to come to administer the Last Rites and he attended to his dying uncle. Father Joe was willing and ready to serve and show his love of God in the Catholic tradition.

Father Joe was an avid Hunter in his earlier years. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting as a source of providing a nutritious meal for his family. Father Joe shared his love of the outdoors. He participated in youth camping, counselling, organizing and planning activities. He loved South Saskatchewan.

He was a responsible son and brother who lived and reminded us of our faith and of our responsibilities as Roman Catholics.

Having a priest as a brother was a blessing to our family. He lived his life in an exemplary manner and we, as his siblings could follow his faith in the Roman Catholic tradition. Having a brother who could administer the Sacraments and orate his Homilies at Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals is a gift that we will cherish throughout our lives.

Father Joe loved his parishioners and shared with us the great joys and privilege he had in being part of their lives.

Father Joe believed, lived, loved and honoured the Roman Catholic Faith and its community. We celebrate Father Joe’s life as “A Good and Faithful Servant”