Joseph Harold Little

July 16, 1942 – August 14, 2022

Harold, though known as “Joseph” or Joe Little, 80, of Lumby BC passed away in the afternoon on Sunday August 14, 2022 at the North Okanagan Hospice Society surrounded by close family and friends.

Joe was born July 16, 1942 in Treherne, Manitoba to Harold & Evelyn “Ivy” Little. During his younger life his family relocated to a number of places, notably a fond recollection of the CP Rail Train Station in Jasper BC where is father Harold was a Chef that created not only a lifelong love of trains, (especially the sound at night) but also cooking. Eventually the Little’s settled in Burnaby BC for a number of years. Joe started out in his father’s footsteps cooking, then eventually, with a young family in the works, became a tradesman as a plumber and a gas pipe fitter union man for Local 170 for most of his working years.

But more noteworthy, Joe was a musician, and an artist. He was a multi-instrumentalist, playing trumpet, coronet, guitar, bass (electric and stand up) and ukulele. He was involved in the country music scene starting in the seventies singing lead for C.C. Express and had many fond memories and friendships forged from those times. Joe was a lover of nature and scenery, and devoted much of his time to landscape art. He was an excellent sport for going on spur of the moment road trips and stopping at old barns in grassy fields for inspiration. He loved to canoe, hike, fish and travel. He loved the rolling hills of the Okanagan and Kootenays and this was where he felt most at home and is his final resting place.

In his retirement years, Joe enjoyed being in a local artist group in Enderby as well as a ukulele group, and starting making his own ukuleles. He was a talented woodworker and enjoyed many project hobbies. Some of his favorite things were spur of the moment visits, and for many years our families Boxing Day gatherings with the Cowan’s and the Short’s. He loved to read, and had a keen interest in Taoism and nature-based spirituality.

Joe is survived by his sister Leslie Hicks, two daughters, Shelley (Len) Gudeit of Lumby, BC, and Kristy Wakatsuki (Brian Millward) of Sechelt BC; six grandchildren; Darren, Rochelle, Breanne, Channai, Miya and Roman, seven great-grandchildren; Isabella, Brandon, Harley, Dallas, Arie, Kinsley and Leo, and of course, his best buddy, his loyal canine companion Reg. Special thanks to friends Fred Smith and Jim Sinclair for their caring friendship and assistance to Joe.

The family would like to express their thanks to the Nurses and Doctors of Vernon Jubilee Hospital, as well as Dr. Barrs and Dr. Chai and Kyle and his staff at the I.D.A. Lumby Pharmacy for such good care.  A very grateful special thanks to the Nurses and Staff at the North Okanagan Hospice Society of Vernon for the wonderful care that was given to Joe and his family during his stay there.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com