HODGSON 1930 - 2008 Mr. Joseph Stanley "Joe" Hodgson of beloved husband of Mrs. Dawn Hodgson of Red Deer passed away after a long struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) at the Northcott Health Care Centre, Ponoka, Alberta on Monday, December 22, 2008 at the age of 78 years. Joe was born on March 29, 1930 at McLennan, Alberta. He was raised on the family farm in the Waterside District, west of Olds, Alberta. He received his education from the Waterside school and the Olds High School. Joe was an athlete throughout his school years, playing baseball for Waterside and Eckville. Although he was smaller in size, no one could tell when he played hockey, Joe was a very tough defenseman in, often spending many minutes in the penalty box. He played for the Olds Elks in 1946-1951 and the Red Monarchs from 1951-1955. Joe came to Red Deer in 1951 following his athletic dreams to play hockey. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Eskimos to which he was a diehard fan for both teams. Joe was a loyal employee and while living in Red Deer he was employed by Coca-Cola bottling company, Amer’s Radiators, Government of Alberta, and finally Michener Centre where he retired in 1994. Joe was a member of many local organizations including the Elks, B.P.O.E. No. 85, Gaetz Memorial United Church, and the Silver Blades Skating Club. Joe is survived by his loving wife Dawn, of fifty-five years, and his two daughters, Jo-Lynn Hodgson and Jacki (Ross) Power both of Calgary, Alberta. He is also survived by his two brothers, Harold Hodgson of Lethbridge, Alberta, and William (Bea) Hodgson of Summerland, British Columbia, a sister, Marj Fagan of Olds, Alberta, as well as his grandchildren, Nick and Nolan Depta of Lethbridge, Alberta, Carter Power of Calgary, Alberta and several nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents, an infant sister, a brother, John, a sister, Betty Sadler, and two brothers-inlaw and two sisters-in-law. A funeral service in Joe's honour will be held at Gaetz Memorial United Church, 4758 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Family interment will take place at the Red Deer Cemetery. Memorial donations in Joe's honour may be made directly to the ALS Society of Alberta, Suite 400, 320-23 Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2S 0J2, or to Gaetz Memorial United Church Fund, 4758 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 1X2. Cremation entrusted to Central Alberta Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at: www.eventidefuneralchapels.com Service and Cremation Providers: EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPELS 4820 - 45th Street, Red Deer. Phone 403-347-2222