Joseph Critchfield

JOSEPH CONREY CRITCHFIELD, beloved husband of the late Pauline Bridge Critchfield, passed away in Magrath on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the age of 98 years. He is the loving father of: Arthur Barry Critchfield of Jefferson City, Missouri, Robert Frazer Critchfield of Revelstoke, BC, Heather Hart of Fort Macleod, AB, and Tanya Geisler of Dixon, California. He leaves behind 22 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his eternal companion Pauline, in 2002. Joe was born February 1, 1912 in Magrath, to Arthur Biggerton and Lettie Lenorah Conrey Critchfield. He was the seventh of twelve children born to Arthur and Lettie. Life was hard for a large family in a pioneer settlement on the Alberta plains. Education was sometimes deferred in deference to a need to work to help support the needs of the family. In Grade 3, Joe was stricken with rheumatic fever, which left him with a heart murmur that he experienced for the rest of his life. By the time Joe was in his teens, with the Great Depression impacting the family's economic circumstances, he left Magrath to support himself and siblings through carpentry and construction jobs that were hard to find. He worked in various settings in Alberta and BC until the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, whereupon he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army. His prior medical history came to light and he was honourably discharged prior to being sent overseas. After leaving the Army, Joe filled a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Eastern Canada. Shortly after his mission, at the age of 37, he met and married Pauline Ririe Bridge of Magrath in 1949. Their first child Barry was born in Magrath in 1950, and shortly afterwards the small family moved to Lethbridge. By 1961, there were four children in the family, including Frazer, Heather and Tanya. Joe worked in a number of construction-related positions throughout his career, and after retiring he and Pauline went on a family history mission for the Church, working at the Family History Centre in Salt Lake City. Throughout his life Joe showed exceptional dedication to his Church and family. He was well known as a self-taught entertainer, often breaking out in extemporaneous renditions of such local favourites as "Cross-eyed Sue" and "The Irish Jubilee" the verses of which enjoyed numerous enhancements and revisions throughout the years. Even in his later years while suffering from the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, Joe could remember these songs and stories, and entertained people around him, even when his "audiences" were less than enthusiastic about the humor and remarks that characterized his long life. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff members who showed exceptional professionalism and caring at the Diamond Willow Lodge and later the Good Samaritan Centre in Magrath. It is with joy and thankfulness that we celebrate the life and example of Joseph Critchfield, through the legacy of his descendants and the lives he touched for good. The Funeral Service will be held at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, Magrath Garden Chapel, Magrath, AB on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop John Balderson officiating. Friends may meet the family prior to the service from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Interment to follow in the Magrath Cemetery.

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