Joseph Stephen Hilbig

With deep love and fond remembrance, we announce the passing of Joseph Stephen Hilbig, who left us on May 1, 2025, at the age of 77. A beloved father, brother, uncle, teacher, neighbour, and friend, Joe touched countless lives with his intelligence, humor, creativity, and generosity.

Born on December 24, 1947, Joe grew up in a lively household where shared bedrooms and close family ties shaped a warm and supportive upbringing. Though he was the tallest of the family, he made the smallest room—his upstairs dormer—uniquely his own, and it remained “Joe’s room” long after he had moved on.

Joe was a master carpenter whose skilled hands crafted beauty and function—from a custom desk for his father to his own home. His work was meticulous and thoughtful, much like the way he stacked bales in the field: interlocked just right so they’d never fall.

A born teacher, Joe brought patience and joy into every lesson. He taught his little sisters how to play songs on the piano, including a family favorite, If I Were a Rich Man. As a music lover and entertainer, he often brought his accordion to family gatherings, filling rooms with song and smiles. He was also the talented pianist for "After Five," a local musical group that performed at teacher events across Saskatoon.

Joe’s creativity extended beyond carpentry and music. He had a lifelong love of airplanes and dreamed of building one himself. He regularly made the pilgrimage to Oshkosh for the famed airshow, sharing stories and dreams with fellow enthusiasts.

He taught at Kelsey/SIAST, where he not only shared his vast knowledge but brought small delights to visiting children, handing out princess crowns to the daughters of his students. That gentle kindness was just part of who Joe was.

Known for his intelligence—he was a proud Mensa member—Joe also had a deep sense of practicality. When a school bus once stalled on a snowy road, it was Joe who fixed it and caught up to the bus driver with a working engine and a wry smile. He also restored a $50 ’57 Dodge from a Wadena auction, diagnosing and fixing a transmission issue with the ease of a seasoned mechanic. His love of cars included a lineup of Chevrolets from the late '50s and '60s.

Joe was also known for his love of animals, especially cats. He gave affectionate and quirky names to the farm kittens—like Axel Q. Camshaft and Inquisitive—carrying them to the barn on his shoulders. He had a special connection to the natural world, even climbing to the barn roof at dusk to howl at coyotes, who would answer and sometimes wander into the yard.

He was a man of conviction and curiosity, deeply engaged with reading, learning, and political discourse. He was known to fact-check and clarify misinformation on social media, never hesitating to stand up for truth, but always doing so with kindness.

Joe’s quiet acts of service spoke volumes. He helped neighbors build their homes, cleared snowy sidewalks, and always lent a hand with a smile. To the youngest in the family—his "little seesters"—he was a protector, a teacher, and a hero. From roadside rescues to presetting radios to CBC, Joe looked after others in big and small ways.

He is remembered by his family, friends, and the many people he helped, taught, and inspired over the years. His memory lives on in the music he shared, the things he built, and the lives he enriched.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of service in your own community—help a neighbor, fix something, play a tune, or just make someone smile. That’s what Joe would’ve done.

Cherished Memories is honoured to be entrusted with the care and arrangements for Joseph.