Obituary of Joseph Jean-Louis Elie Ruet 5-0)

Joseph "Joe" Ruet,70, of Moncton, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at The Moncton Hospital on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Joe was born Joseph Jean-Louis Elie Ruest, son of Romeo and Anais Ruest. He was the seventh of eight children, and was one of three boys and five girls to grow up on the mixed family farm in Siegas, Madawaska Co., NB. At the age of 14, in 1952, Joe left the farm to attend St. Joe's boarding school in Memramcook. He finished high school in Chatham at St. Thomas Academy before enrolling in the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, Nova Scotia. He completed his BSc degree in agriculture, specializing in poultry science at MacDonald College, of McGill University in Montreal. At NSAC Joe was a good student, popular with his classmates. He played intramural sports, and was a bit of a prankster and dare devil, spending his first summer job driving pulp logs down the Saint John River. In college, said Jerry Harper, his classmates and friends quickly got used to Joe's pet phrase, "Well, if we are going to do it, let's do it! What are we waiting for?" After his second year in Truro, Joe got a summer job at the Agricultural Research Station in Fredericton, where he met and fell in love with Sharon Randall, whom he would later drive from Montreal to visit on weekends, and then marry in Fredericton in the fall of 1964. While getting his education, Joe had a multitude of friends; he just considered everyone his friend. He never forgot them, stopping, more than often unannounced, whenever he found himself in their area, always keeping in touch and later organizing and participating fully in class reunions. He never missed a reunion at St. Joseph's, St. Thomas, NSAC or MacDonald College. For the past three years Joe enjoyed working in the spring, delivering herbs for Sweet Valley Herbs, owned by Sharon's nephew Aaron and his wife Anna, making trips to garden centres and major grocery chains throughout the Maritimes. He is the founder of the infamous "mystery tours" and often his family joked that even Joe did not know the final destination, but always found his way out and back home again. Upon completing his education, Joe embarked on a career that would have him doing more things in his lifetime than any other four men could accomplish in theirs. He started out with Agriculture Canada in Guelph, Ontario, but after a couple of years and the need of a greater challenge, he accepted a job managing Red Pine Turkey Farms in Penetanguishene, Ontario, north of Toronto. His son, Lucien Louis Ruet was born there in 1967. He went on to Co-op Atlantic in Moncton where he was hired as a poultry specialist. His daughter, Karen Anne was born at the Moncton Hospital in 1969. Clark's Chick Hatchery outside Fredericton needed an operational man; an offer was made and Joe accepted. He stayed for a couple of years before then accepting a job with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture in Kentville; he was promoted and moved to Bible Hill, where he became the Poultry Superintendent for the province, and was based on the campus of NSAC in Truro. Joe's yearning to operate his own business was accomplished after this time period, when he bought a turkey breeding operation in Glenvale, New Brunswick. He attained high production levels but had to discontinue farming when Poland stopped buying Canadian turkey eggs and the bottom fell out of the turkey egg market. Joe then spent two years selling animal health products before accepting a contract with Agriculture Canada – CIDA – the Canadian Development Agency – to set up poultry test station in Algeria, where he and Sharon resided throughout the project. When he returned to Canada he felt he had done everything he wanted to do in the poultry industry, and embarked upon a new career, selling real estate. His fate changed again soon after, when the son of a friend, who drove a taxi, was going for surgery and asked Joe to give his company a hand for a couple of weeks. Close family friends were very involved in this business. His taxi number was 50 and when the dispatcher called him, it was always "Joe 5-0". Thinking this was a catchy phrase Joe kept it when he started his very own courier, taxi and tours of Southeastern New Brunswick business – "Joe 5-0". This has become his nickname with family and friends as well as business associates. Joe was active in Lionism since 1967 served in Truro, New Minas, Havelock (Past President) and Riverview Lions Club (Past President), was Zone Chairman, organizer of Cavalcade and Speak Out on the District Level. This was his passion, serving and helping others. Joe was given Certificates of Appreciation for his service including Lion of the Year, Life Membership of Lions International and Lions Foundation of Canada, the Judge Brian Stevenson Award, Lion Harry Newman Award and the Lion Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest form of recognition by Lions Clubs International Foundation. Much of Joe's success in his work-life is due to his strong work ethic, and his genuine concern for others. He was a real people person and was known for his trademark hugs, listening ear, handshakes and pats on the shoulder or back. He quickly got involved with projects like Headstart, single high school Moms and tots, and children's camps including the Rotary Camp for Diabetes, his signature vans full of car seats and laughing children. He also delivered mail regularly for the mayor and City Counselors in Moncton. From Lou: Joe was a loving husband and father. He taught us how to share our lives with others through his acts of volunteer service in the community, and random acts of kindness. He had a talent for bringing people together to build community in all levels of his life: with family, neighbours, and in the larger communities where he worked, and lived. He made friends everywhere he went with everyone he encountered, respectful of everyone. He was a man of strong convictions, overcoming many obstacles without complaint. Little children remember Joe as the big guy who always had time to shake hands with them, and make them feel important. To those of us who knew him well, he was a true friend, on whom you could always depend. He leaves behind his wife Sharon Ruet; son Lucien Louis "Lou" of Moncton and daughter Karen Anne of Fredericton; brothers Guy Ruest (Rita) of Siegas and Ernest Ruest (Louise) of Edmunston; sisters Fernande St. Pierre of Palermo, Me. USA; Georgine Ruest of Matane, PQ; Yvette Fournier of Edmunston, Lisette Butler of Moncton and Sr. Claudette Ruest of Montreal, PQ; as well as nieces and nephews. At Joe's request there is no visitation at the Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Humphrey Memorial United Church on Monday, February 16, 2009 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Gayle MacDonald officiating, assisting are Rev. Douglas MacEachern and Pastor Jack Gautreau. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Petitcodiac, NB in the spring. Donations in Joe's memory made to IWK Grace Hospital, Cancer Society or to the charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated. Service Information Monday, February 16, 2009