Joseph ‘Joe’ F. Hynes
February 17, 1943 ~ March 27, 2026
Joe passed away in Medicine Hat on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the age of 83 years. Left to mourn Joe’s passing is his wife of 59 years and the love of his life, Melita; two children, Andre Hynes (Grace) of Stony Plain, AB., and Joanne Hynes (Tony Grunheidt) of Edmonton, AB; grandchildren: Kayla (Jarrett) Kerr of Spruce Grove, AB., Eric Hynes (Jennah McEwan Coppick) of Edmonton, AB., Adam (Melanie) Hynes of Spruce Grove, AB., and Jessica (Trevor) Barham of Edmonton, AB; great-grandchildren, Zander, Anika, Leo and baby Olivia. Joe’s memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of his siblings back home in Newfoundland: brother, Stan (Rhona) Hynes of Mount Pearl; three sisters, Mary (Peter) Blum of Labrador City, Theresa (Max Rodway) of Marystown and Christine (Clarence Banfield) of St. Bernards. He is also survived by numerous in-laws, Jim (Celine) Myles of Edmonton, AB., Judy (Cal) Burton of Fort McMurray, AB., Sheila (Earl) McCarthy of Medicine Hat, AB., Evelyn Labour of Dartmouth, NS., and Debbie (Ken) Hickey of Terrenceville, NL. He was predeceased by an infant son, Anthony; parents, Joseph Sr. and Theresa Hynes (nee Cox); sister, Rebecca (Gus) Hickey; brothers, Pius, Norman and George Hynes; Melita’s parents, John R and Mary Jane Myles (nee Lavhey) and brother-in-law, James Labour. Joe and Melita grew-up together and married in Terrenceville, NL., on December 31, 1966. He started working at the age of 12 when he accompanied his dad to lobster fish on the Grand Banks. Joe then went to work in the Lumber Woods bringing water to the crew who were chopping wood. He blazed the trail to the Northwest Territories (Tower Foundation/Nanisivik Mines in Baffin Island) in 1974, when it was just a one house town with 38 personnel. During his 4 year tenure, he helped build the town, the mine and the airport for others to follow; all this while the only communication was a 2-way radio to Resolute Bay. Joe followed the construction life, building roads as an equipment operator until he was hired by Syncrude Canada Ltd. in Fort McMurray, AB. in 1978. Joe went to work at Syncrude in Mining as an equipment operator, completing his tenure as a bucketwheel and dragline operator. He later became a member of the Syncrude Fire & Rescue team which made for many experiences and happy memories. He went for only a few years, but ended up staying until his retirement 25 years later. Joe arrived in Medicine Hat in 2003, and not being content to just sit and enjoy the sunrises, he went to work at the River Ridge Senior Village (originally Masterpiece). As the maintenance personnel, he also became a father figure to the staff and residents alike. Joe was a private person and very protective of his family. He was well known for his keen memory right to the end…for his impromptu songs, compassion to help the less fortunate, work ethic and his big heart. He never turned down a request for assistance from anyone. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Good Samaritan South Ridge Village as well as Dr. Jeraj for the care they provided to Joe through his final months. Thank you to Wayne and Lorna Becker and Jean and Murray Miller for their assistance in making Joe’s final months less stressful. Also to Sheila McCarthy and Mark Rust for their comfort and support when Joe passed and in the days that followed. In honouring his wishes, cremation has taken place with interment at a future date. (Condolences may be expressed at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reflections Reception Facility, 901- 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone: 403-527-6455 or toll free at: 1-877-528-6455.
- Date : 2026-03-27
- Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta