Joseph "Joe" James Borrows – passed peacefully on Sunday July 21, 2019 at the age of 88 years at GBHS-Wiarton Hospital. Joe was born in Barnsley Yorkshire on May 25, 1931 as Joseph James Cliff and was raised in Rotherham and served in the Royal Air Force before coming to Canada at 22. He first visited Neyaashiinigmiing 66 years ago and he has been married to Jean Arlene Jones, of Neyaashiinigmiing for over 62 years. He is the father of John Borrows and his wife Kim, of Victoria BC, and daughter Jennifer Borrows of Neyaashiinigmiing. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Meagan and Lindsay Borrows, and her husband Sean Richey, and his great-granddaughter Wasaya Jean Richey, all of the Comox Valley in British Columbia. Joe was predeceased by his parents Joseph Kenneth Cliff and Doris Gaut. Many thanks to the hospital staff for their excellent care and support. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to the Thomas C. Whitcroft Funeral Home & Chapel, 814 Bruce Rd. 8, Sauble Beach (519) 422-0041. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whitcroftfuneralhome.com
Joe will be remembered as a quiet and thoughtful man who loved reading, photography, philosophy, history, and humour (puns). In his last few days, in final conversations with his family, he was asked if he was afraid to die. He said, "no". A tear rolled down his cheek and he said, "I am afraid to leave my family." We are grateful that Joe’s final days mirrored what we knew in life, that he loved his family most of all.