Bruce Joa

Bruce Joa of the Northern Lights Manor passed away Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the age of 74 years.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet Joa (nee Bloxom); his children, Jennifer Joa-Wendlandt (Mark), Catherine Joa (Ashley Hall), Daniel Joa (fiancee Lindsay Dods); his grandchildren Gretchen & Bridget Wendlandt, Sadie & Aidan Joa-Hall. He is survived by his sisters Patsy Klyne (Merle), Deanna Reynolds (Todd), Lana Nagy (Randy), Nadine Christopherson (Rick).

Bruce leaves numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who will remember him with love.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents Yvonne & Merlin Joa as well as his brothers-in-law Ron Cook, Dean Tait and Perry Bloxom as well as his uncles Dick and Stan.

A Celebration of Life for Bruce Joa will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. from the Denareplex, 1718 Wigwam Drive, Denare Beach, Saskatchewan.

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=8adca6b9-2569-4856-b118-a5702be97393

The Celebration of Life for Bruce Joa will be livestreamed. Please click on the above link to preregister to view the service. If you have any questions or would like assistance please call 1-877-895-2739.

If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made to the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 57 Church Street, Flin Flon, Manitoba. R8A 1K8

Bruce was first and foremost a family man who loved the northern outdoor life and hard work. As a kid he spent many summers camping with his mom and dad, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins at Tyrell Lake, and he fished with his dad at the South Sturgeon Weir River. Later on he carried on the tradition, creating many outdoor adventures with his wife and three kids, including so many camping trips to an island on Amisk that family started calling it Joa’s Island. In the winter months, he would take his wife and kids out on snowmobile excursions and wiener roasts on the lakes near Creighton. He hunted and fished with his dad, Merlin, and later on with his good hunting buddies Bob Fitzpatrick, Bob Bloxom, his son Daniel, and other good friends.

Bruce valued hard work. A strong work ethic came from early years on the family farm in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, and his school-age years in Flin Flon, delivering the Free Press over his lunch hour and after school. He also worked at the drive-in theatre slinging popcorn and hotdogs with his mom and sisters during the summer. He sold men's clothing on Main Street at Schieders and Stylerite, he pumped gas and drove the tow truck at Birchview, and from there, at 17, went to HBM&S, working on an electrical trade while continuing his work at Birchview. At this time he was already dating his future wife, Janet, and had started helping Bonnie and Dean at T&D Amisk Cabins. In 1976 Bruce left the company to work with his brother-in-law Ron Cook, beginning a career in the vending business, later branching off with his friend Harvey Bolton, starting BJ’s Vending.

The theme throughout his life was family, work, and fun, and he found a way to combine them. In 1991, after spending many years with Bonnie and Dean and their boys at T&D Cabins camping, fishing, and enjoying family gatherings, Bruce and Janet bought the outfitting business. There was a lot of hard work but, more importantly, a lot of fun and many, many cherished memories working alongside his family. He thoroughly enjoyed his relationships with the many guests who came for their yearly catch. Bruce also became involved in running Rockyview Lodge in Denare Beach, again working alongside his family with many laughs along with the blood, sweat, and tears. There is a theme: very hard work mixed with so much fun. Bruce cherished all of his relationships with the many people he employed at T&D’s and at Rockyview. He had so many good times and viewed everyone he worked with as part of his family.