Obituary of Joseph Edmund Maddigan

On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, Joseph Edmund Maddigan, age 94 years, passed away peacefully. Predeceased by his loving wife, Madeline in 2006; his parents, Daniel and Mary Maddigan; one brother, Leonard; one sister, Kathleen; and one grandson, Michael Maddigan. Joseph is survived by five sons: Jim (Shirley) of Calgary, Michael (Cathy), Robert (Linda), Daniel (Debbie) and David, all of Regina; three daughters: Kathy (Joe) Keller of Regina, Barbara (Rob) Dalke of Whitecourt, Alberta and Patty (Rejean) Longtin of Morrisberg, Ontario; sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dad was born on the family homestead near Palmer, Saskatchewan. When Dad was five both his mother and sister died, and when he was 11 his beloved brother Leonard passed away. Their father had disappeared and Dad was raised by his maternal grandparents, Adalbert and Theresa Seemann, and an extended family of loving aunts, uncles and cousins. After our Dad and Mom were married they moved to Hamilton, Ontario where their first son, Jim, was born. In May of 1942 Dad enlisted in the Air Force and was shipped overseas in October of that year. He saw active duty in Europe as part of a Radio Communications Unit until the end of the war. After the war Dad and Mom moved to Regina where they raised their family. In 1945 Dad began working for the federal government with the Department of Veterans Affairs and a few years later transferred to the Federal Income Tax Department where he worked until his retirement in 1979. He enjoyed many years of retirement cheering on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Blue Jays. He remained an active participant in his church up until almost the last. He valued family and community. We loved our father dearly and will carry his gifts of honesty, integrity and compassion with us forever. Our thanks are sent to Dr. OByrne, the staff at the Pasqua Hospital on Ward 3D, and the 3A Palliative Unit for their caring support. Funeral Mass at Canadian Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, 1932 " 1st Avenue North, Regina, SK at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2009 with Rev. John Mock presiding. Interment will be at Riverside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make donations, in memoriam, to the Regina Food Bank, 445 Winnipeg Street, Regina, SK, S4R 8P2. A book of online condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com