Donald Arthur Joss

Donald Arthur Joss died at his home on October 22, 2023.  Don was born in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan on August 24, 1938, and was raised in small towns on the plains of Saskatchewan.  His father was a grain buyer and they lived in several small communities in southeastern Saskatchewan. As a young man he settled in Bredenbury, Saskatchewan, where he met his future wife Arlene.  Don was very industrious as a young man, a trait he continued his entire life, and held many jobs in Bredenbury.  He worked as a butcher for the local meat locker, with Arlene, as well as working for the railroad and the local grain elevator.  He was known by everyone in Bredenbury as “Smiley,” some only knew him by that name.  Don and Arlene eventually left the small town of Bredenbury for the “big city” of Saskatoon where Don began his career in construction. 

Don and Arlene married in Saskatoon in 1961 and were married over 62 years with Arlene preceding Don in death by just 11 days.  They had 2 children, Murray and Lori.

Starting as an apprentice carpenter for PCL construction in 1959, Don worked his way up through the ranks in PCL from carpenter, to superintendent, to project manager, to district manager of construction operations, overseeing some of the company’s largest projects.  He moved to the United States in 1977 to help start PCL’s U.S. office.  His notable career included the management of some of the country’s most iconic building projects including the Republic Plaza in downtown Denver, which is still the tallest building in Denver, the Denver International Airport main terminal, the Honolulu Convention Center and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. 

During his distinguished career of 43 years with PCL, he made a secondary career of moving, and moved  38 times during his life to locations as far west as Hawaii, as far east as Virginia Beach, as far north as Tuktoyaktuk on the Artic Ocean for a summer and as far south as Dallas Texas.   

Don was a skilled woodworker and enjoyed this hobby in retirement, creating numerous beautiful pieces of furniture and other wood crafts for his family and friends. 

Don was well known as being a perfectionist, extremely hard working and driven.  He was a master of organization, as anyone who ever saw his tool boxes or workshop can attest.  

He is survived his by son Murray Joss and daughter-in-law Roberta Ober of Lakewood, Colorado, his daughter and son-in-law Lori and Ken Vernon of Durango, Colorado, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Glenn Martin and sister-in-law Helen Shriner of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and his brother-in-law Arlo Gilchrist of Red Deer, Alberta, and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, his parents, and sister Marilyn Gilchrist (Joss).

Please join the service using this link:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=a82c6584-c574-4ab3-bc16-0cb2b1748a48

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald's memory can be made to michaeljfox.org