Joe Nemo, age 100, a lifelong Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley, surrounded by his loving family.
Joe was born on September 1, 1913 in Sedro-Woolley, the son of Andrew & Mary (De Bay) Nemo. He was raised and attended school in Sedro-Woolley.
Joe left high school when he was 15 and work as a “gandy dancer” laying and securing railroad tracks several years until enlisting into the U.S. Army in 1941. Joe was stationed in Hawaii where he was a baker, making breads for the thousands of soldiers also stationed there. After his discharge in 1945 he was united in marriage to Hazel Rhynard in Bellingham, and together they made their home in Sedro-Woolley for 53 years.
Joe first worked for the National Frozen Foods cannery in Burlington for several years, then in the construction industry throughout the Skagit Valley for many years and was involved in the construction of the refineries in Anacortes and the Mount Vernon Mall. He retired in 1977. He was a longtime member of the Laborers Union Local 901 in Mount Vernon.
Joe enjoyed fishing on the Skagit River, feeding the pigeons every day, going to the casino to play the slot machines and taking coffee and donuts to the local barber shop to visit with the patrons.
Joe is survived by his daughter, Barbara (DeBay) Hoover of Concrete; a daughter-in-law, Ruth DeBay of Tacoma; 2 brothers, Robert Nemo of Lebanon, OR and George Nemo (Lois) of Sedro-Woolley; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; 3 sons, Ray, Roy and Robert DeBay; brother, Al Nemo and sister, Josephine Jackson.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Kermit Johnson of Stanwood officiating. Inurnment will be at Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete. Visitation is available at Lemley Chapel. The family requests that memorials be made to the Sedro-Woolley Senior Center.
Rest in Peace – For your life well spent. Though most know only of you . Your Union Brothers to the end.
Mike Rigacci
Sergeant @ Arms
Laborers Local 901
R.I.P. Joe, you were a pillar in this community. Sedro Woolley will miss you
Joe, I would drive down State street and I would look for you taking your walk,I would see you feeding the Pigeons in front of your Apt. and I would see you at Handy Mart,and you always said hello. You will be greatly missed.
Grandpa Joe, I always felt lucky to celebrate our birthdays together, although there were several years between us. You always had a smile and kindness in your heart for everyone you met. The kids all loved you and you always looked forward to seeing all the kids big and small. We have many many memories and I loved that for each of our kids wedding even Brandon and Jessica’s in July you always sported a tux and looked very handsome .You danced with Karissa and Brianna at their weddings and always had a good time. You brought laughter and conversation with you always . Yes Kim Grandpa Joe always said” see you in church in the back pew” and then he laughed. Grandpa Joe you will always be in our heart and we take with us memories to cherish till we meet again.we will miss you and love you always. Love Becki and Les
Grandpa Joe,
What a special person you were. Always smiling and so positive about life. Our girls loved you like their own grandparents. They were disappointed when they found out they weren’t actually related but that didn’t matter you will always be Grandpa Joe to them. You will be greatly missed.
Love Ruthann and family
Barbara, Larry, and family,
Just wanted you to know that my thoughts are with you at the time of passing of your father and grandfather. I never knew him, but have heard stories over the years. For the extended family, my thoughts and prayers are with you as well. I pray that God will be your strength through this time of loss and adjustment.
Grandpa Joe,
“My Joe” I miss you already and so thankful you waited for me to return, so I could be with you Tuesday. You taught me so much with just being present in my life. You and Grandma drove 200 miles every week to visit us as little kids and still came once a month when my children were young. I have so many Joe-isms that you spoke and will share a few. ” No work, No eat”, ” If I knew anything, I’d be rich”, and when you would say “Well we need to head up the highway” as you put it then say “See you in church”….which I would reply in the back row and we would both smile and laugh. Your quite life and simple truths shared with humor made such an impact on me, and I know it did on others too, because when we would (come up the highway) and take you for lunch or breakfast many would come up to me and share the little things that you did, which always made me so proud to be your granddaughter.
I miss you now so much, but in all truth I know what one day we will see each other and pick up where we left off,. and you can introduce me to all the family who’s grave sites we visited. Till then My Joe…See you in Church…
What a trooper Joe was. A great example of the true generation.
His smile and jolly personality will be my memory of him and I
am proud that I was relatedto him.
Rest in peace Joe, you were amazing for 100 years old.
Grandpa Joe,
I’ve yet to meet another person who could attract the attention of those he didn’t know, like you could. Children were especially mesmerized when they saw you walking toward them. You would bring a smile to anyone’s face as they laid eyes on you. You were a one-of-a-kind character!
You’ve given me enough memories to last my lifetime. I will think of you often and smile.
I’ve been blessed to have been your grandson.
Love,
Larry
Barbara, our condolences and prayers are with you and your family at this time of loss. Your father was a remarkable man and what an historian he must have been, having witnessed all of the changes that have taken place as Skagit Valley grew to be what it is today.
God be with all of you …
We enjoyed seeing him when he came into State Street Barber Shop,
he was well liked. Nice to talk too.