Joseph Richard Darlington

Joseph Richard Darlington (Joe), aged 89, of Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 10, 2026. He was not alone, held safe by family. Joe’s children are grateful they each had an opportunity to visit in his final weeks of life to say good-bye.  His eldest daughter Laura was with him at the end.

He is survived by his first wife who has remained his friend for 73 years, Eileen; their four children, Laura (Fran), Lynne (Karen), Janet (Ken), and David (Patti); his grandchildren, Lauren, David, Nathan, and Yvonne; and his great-grandchildren Gemma, Skyler, Teagan and Trent; nieces Susan, Jane, Nancy and nephew John. He also left behind an important best friend Barbara; and his beloved dog Ben, who found a good home in Quebec and is now fluently bilingual

Joe was predeceased by his second wife of 38 years, Patricia (Pat) Susan, and step-son Alex Harper; his mother Harriet Louise, father Herbert Leonard, sister Dorothy Louise; half-sister Christine Sheila and her daughter Christine Rommel.

Joe was outgoing and friendly. He had many, many good friends, both locally and internationally. His coworkers from Mackie Data and several other careers and jobs. His neighbours, his church community of St. Mary Magdalene; many who were incredibly important to him. His international student friends and coworkers from the University of Manitoba library. The many couples he married. Joe connected with everyone he met, from his local pharmacist, his financial advisors, his lawyer, his Jones & Co people, his massage therapist, his physiotherapist, and many more. Quite a few of his friends were able to visit him at St. Norbert's, for which we are forever grateful. One of his deepest regrets over the last two years of his life was his inability to use Facebook and WeChat to keep in touch.

He had a booming laugh that was irresistible and is one of the things that he will be most remembered for. Joe was generous and kind to others. He loved to read, play cards, visit with family and friends, and just sit and relax in the sun on his deck with a glass of wine, having conversations with whoever happened by. He was a thoughtful man with an insatiable curiosity who never stopped learning.

Joe started his career in computers as a systems operator, back in the day when the computer was housed in a Toronto “city block”, and vacuum tubes were the computer components. Joe was quickly recognized by IBM for his abilities, and was trained in programming. Eventually he became the General Manager of Mackie Data Service Bureau, which was his favorite job. After that, he held a variety of computer-related positions.

Mackie Data was a special place. Joe made it fun for everyone at Mackie Data, often hosting CFL game days at home. Fans of opposing teams watched on separate floors in his house, which led to a raucously good time! Joe was briefly a computer salesman. He sold a mainframe in Winnipeg, which won him a 2-week all-inclusive trip for two to Portugal. After leaving the corporate world, Joe opened his own programming business which he ran from home. Several of his clients stayed with him for many years until he closed his business down. After retirement from the computer field, he had some of his favorite jobs. He delivered pizza, loving the exercise and the chance to talk to new people. His favorite post-retirement job by far was working as a Library Assistant at the University of Manitoba. There he was well loved by the international students, many who saw him as a substitute grandparent, as well as his coworkers. He was invited to attend many international student grads, sometimes even when their parents flew in for the ceremony.

Joe was a devoted member of the congregation of St. Mary Magdalene, where he received a Certificate of Appreciation at the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, 2026. He completed the program of Theological Education administered by the School of Theology, the University of the South.  He spent many years travelling to St. Peter Dynevor Church with his good friend Reverend Bob Webster, where he sang in the choir and did lay readings.

Joe also became a Marriage Commissioner. He was honoured and delighted to officiate at several weddings for friends, former international students and co-workers he met while working at the University of Manitoba, as well as people who found him through the marriage commissioner website. He performed his first marriage in 2003, and his last in 2016. Joe was quite open minded. He married a lesbian couple from south of the border before gay marriage was legalized in any of the United States. To help the couple out, he officiated the ceremony in his own backyard.

Joe cared about giving back to community. His accountant frequently chided him for giving too much to charity. He volunteered extensively. He went door-to-door campaigning for Preston Manning. He drove AIDS patients to medical appointments. He worked at the Food Bank. He was a trained volunteer in the evidence-based, restorative justice program "circle of friends" for individuals who have committed sexual offenses, officially known as Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA).

For the past two years, Joe was a resident of St. Norbert Personal Care Home (SNPCH) where he received exemplary care by all the staff at St. Norbert's.  He enjoyed his relationships with the staff, knowing most of them by name. We would like to thank everybody at SNPCH, from the Director of Care right down to the Health Care Aides, administrators, cleaners, chef and kitchen staff, and the recreation staff. We would like to especially thank the nursing staff. They are the best! Everybody was incredibly kind and supportive to Joe, and to his family. Last, but not least, we would like to thank Dr. Maharaj, who looked after Joe's medical needs for almost 2 years, and whose palliative care eased Joe into the after life. We will never forget any of you. Joe was grateful for the care he received, as are his family.

We will miss his infectious laugh, his exuberance for life, his keen intelligence, and his genuine interest and care for others.

In lieu of flowers and in alignment with Joe’s core values, a donation may be made to 1JustCity, Oak Table by dropping off food or toiletries at 107 Pulford St. (M-F 8AM-4PM), or by sending a memorial contribution in Joe’s honour to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada.

In keeping with Joe’s wishes, cremation has taken place at Transcona Cremation and Funeral Services. A Celebration of Life will be held at Saint Paul's Anglican Church, Fort Garry, 830 North Drive, on September 10, 2027, at 10:00 am, followed by a graveside service at St. Peter’s Dynevor Anglican Church (Old Stone Church), 8 Stone Church Road, East Selkirk, where Joe and Pat will be interred together.

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