José Jorge

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of beloved husband, father and grandfather José Vieira Jorge. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, December 25, 2023, at the age of 87. Born to Emilia da Gloria Vieira & José Furtado Jorge, in Azores, Portugal, on September 19, 1936.

José was a loving man with an unshakable devotion to his wife Inês ‘nee Furtado’ for 57 years. Beloved father of Michelle and cherished grandfather of Preston. He will be so dearly and lovingly remembered.

He remembers the day his beloved wife Inês was born, as he was already 8 and had moved to her village a few years after losing his parents at a very young age. Before dating Inês, he served in the Portuguese army. The couple married in 1966 in Ponta da Fajã Grande, Flores, Azores. During those years he worked as a farmer and in his younger days was known to horseback ride down the Rocha in his village at record speed. In 1972 they immigrated to Canada with the plan to work for 10 years & then move back to the Azores. In the meantime, their daughter Michelle was born, whom he adored and was protective of until the end. José and Inês accomplished their goal and in 1982 they moved back to the Azores with their daughter Michelle. Here he spent his time renovating the family home, fishing, hunting, tending to his garden, growing fruits and vegetables, raising chickens, pigs and rabbits, swimming or attending festivals with his daughter. In 1987 the family returned to Canada on what they thought would be a short vacation, but at the request of his wife and daughter, he sacrificed his early retirement, and agreed to stay in Toronto. He returned to work as a grinder, a job he kept until he retired in 1998, for medical reasons. In 2006 José welcomed his precious grandson Preston into the world. He had an incredibly special bond with his grandson Preston & took great pride in adoring, guarding and supporting him since birth, in every way possible.

Throughout his life, he was fantastic with numbers and incredibly difficult to beat in checkers and card games. Once back in Canada, he took great pride in tending to his fruit trees, and beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. He had a beautiful singing voice and in his younger days he loved to play the guitar. He thoroughly
enjoyed watching soccer and was a big Benfica fan. He loved animals and he was in love with the family pups Macho and Mango. He had a magical smile, and he was hilarious.

His loss to his family and friends is significant and can't be explained in words. He has left behind the legacy of family members with clarity of their values & desires. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts & minds of those who knew him.

Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home (4671 Hwy 7, Woodbridge) on Friday, December 29, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 to 9:00p.m. Funeral service to be held in the Ward Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., with interment to follow at Beechwood
Cemetery.

The family requests that should you wish, to consider a memorial donation to the Kidney Foundation or Make a Wish Foundation. Please do not send flowers.

Click Here to Donate to the Kidney Foundation of Canada

Click Here to Donate to the Make a Wish Foundation