Joseph Patrick Sutcliffe
Dear Sutcliffe/Laverdière family,
I will always remember Joe Sutcliffe as a faithful parishioner of St. Patrick's Parish and a veteran of the Second World War. I had the honour of getting to know Joe more personally in 1988 when John Halpin wrote the play Joseph by the Well, which was performed at the then newly constructed St. Patrick's Church on De Salaberry. Joe and I sang in the chorus of this play, and I played the Angel Gabriel, while Joe sang a very powerful bass or tenor voice in the chorus. Joe was always very quick with a quip or a joke, and always kept a positive outlook on life, despite having seen and lived through a lot of negative things in the War. Joe always remained faithful to the practice of the Roman Catholic faith for as long as he could, still coming to Church at St. Pat's every Sunday with a personal helper to assist with his mobility issues. Joe did like St. Paul said: he fought the good fight, he ran the race until the very end, and he kept the faith. You really can't ask for anything better than that from a child of this Universe before they shuffle off of this mortal coil. So Joe, I salute you, brother. Godspeed, and we'll all see you, I pray, on the other side of the narrow gate!!! Love, Peter Stuart, Peterborough, ON
