Four days from today, Tuesday, November 14th, marks the 6th anniversary of our dear cousin Joe’s passing. Here are a few of the pictures that I have of him, most of them were taken when he was quite small (he was so cute). My oldest brother David told me that that as Joe grew out of his clothes they were handed down to him to wear.
Spring 1945 – Martha proudly showing off her first of four children, Joe Martha would have been about 28 years old and Joe about 6 months old
The following 4 pictures were probably taken on the same day in 1946.
Circa 1946 – Joe about 2 years old – he is standing on the west side of Bald Eagle Avenue looking north, probably in front of his grandparents’ home at 411 Bald Eagle AvenueCirca 1946 – Adlore Vadnais carrying his grandson, Joe Vadnais. Adlore would have been about 57 years old.Circa 1946 – White Bear Oil Company – Joe’s double first cousin Mike with his arm around his Dad Charles’ neck, Joe standing in front of his Uncle Charles and Joe’s Uncle Jack in the back working on a car. Mike would have been about 4 years old, Charles about 35 years old, Joe about 2 years old and Jack about 21 years old.Circa 1946 – Joe with his double first cousin Mike on the side steps at their grandparents’ house, 411 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake1949 – Joe, about 4 years old, as the ring bearer in Arnold Tessier’s wedding. Arnold was Joe’s first cousin once removed.Circa 1950 – In the first 2 pictures Joe is with his sister Mary and in the picture on the right their cousin Sue is in the middle – Joe would have been about 5 years old, Mary about 3 years old and Sue about 4 years old.Circa 1951 – Joe with his sister Mary – Joe would be about 6 years old and Mary about 4 years old. Joe is wearing a Hopalong Cassidy shirt; Hopalong Cassidy was on TV from 1949-52.1996 – Joe at the Vadnais family picnic. He would have been 51 years old.
We miss you, we love you, we remember you.
4 thoughts on “In Memory of our dear cousin Joseph (Joe) Richard Vadnais (1944-2017)”
I was looking to see what Joe was up to these days…. I had no Idea he was gone! so sad! I worked at white bear oil from 1986-1989 ish. Time gets away from you fast for sure. This was the first real job I had and once Joe found out I had mechanical aptitude he took me under his wing and taught me everything he new about cars. (if that is even possible) I will miss him and his dad Dick. (even though he was a hard a**) 😉 I would not be the well-rounded, hardworking guy that I am today without having had them in my life! R.I.P. My mentor, you deserve it!
Every time I come to White Bear Lake, I think of Joe. I will always remember Joe as a fun loving guy and an imaginative entrepreneur! Back in the late 1970s Joe had a booth at the Renaissance Fair and bought etched glass windows from us. Joe carried a big wad of bills with him and always paid cash for our work which he proudly sold at his booth. He was a great help to us when we were just getting started in business! We owe him a lot! Thanks Joe for your love and enthusiasm!
God bless you! You will always bring a smile. Tryg Jacobson and Mark Gottsacker. Ice Nine Glass Design
Awesome!!
Thank you for sharing these. My ❤️ is full of love and missing my Dad so much.
I was looking to see what Joe was up to these days…. I had no Idea he was gone! so sad! I worked at white bear oil from 1986-1989 ish. Time gets away from you fast for sure. This was the first real job I had and once Joe found out I had mechanical aptitude he took me under his wing and taught me everything he new about cars. (if that is even possible) I will miss him and his dad Dick. (even though he was a hard a**) 😉 I would not be the well-rounded, hardworking guy that I am today without having had them in my life! R.I.P. My mentor, you deserve it!
Every time I come to White Bear Lake, I think of Joe. I will always remember Joe as a fun loving guy and an imaginative entrepreneur! Back in the late 1970s Joe had a booth at the Renaissance Fair and bought etched glass windows from us. Joe carried a big wad of bills with him and always paid cash for our work which he proudly sold at his booth. He was a great help to us when we were just getting started in business! We owe him a lot! Thanks Joe for your love and enthusiasm!
God bless you! You will always bring a smile. Tryg Jacobson and Mark Gottsacker. Ice Nine Glass Design