Joseph Alphonsus (Joe) de Kock was born March 25, 1927, in Lamswaarde, Zeeland, in the south of Holland. He was 3rd of 8 children of Aloyjsius and Rosalia de Kock-Bogaert. He emigrated to Canada in March 1949 and settled in the Hardisty area, where he worked on the Paul and Bess Mazure farm before starting farming with his brother Louis.  He also had jobs building the Hardisty school gym, the Hardisty water system, pipelining and working for the CPR Railroad which he loved.

He married his wife Barbara Kohlman in 1957, and they raised 8 children on the family farm north of Hardisty. He was passionate about farming and continuing working on the farm until he was 90 years old before retiring to an acreage near Hardisty.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Barbara, his sister Carolien of Holland, his children Brian (Matthew), Marsella (Garry), Greg, Janet (Marc), Sidney, Patrick (Lacey), and daughter-in-law Brenda as well as 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  He was pre-deceased by his parents, his son Eric, daughter Beverley, infant son Ivan, grandson Bradley, and 6 brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hardisty Hospital Auxiliary or charity of choice.

The funeral Mass for Joe will be held in the Hardisty Community Hall on Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m.  with Father Benjamin Obetta officiating and lunch to follow.

The following is the link to the lievstream of the funeral:    https://www.rispektmedia.com/joe-de-kock-march-11-1pm