Jose Antonio Menezes was born August 3, 1959 in Toronto, ON to parents Jose Rosario and Olivia Eugenia Menezes. Jose grew up between Toronto, Arthur and Scarborough, ON. Jose’s first entrepreneurial endeavour started by collecting Halloween candy in Toronto area (as a kid), then waiting until end of November to sell it in School. Jose was so smart!
1978 - Received Grade 13 High School Diploma at Neil McNeil (all boy’s Catholic High School; where John Candy graduated from years earlier – Joe found his picture on the wall of the school).
1981 - Awarded a Diploma in Agriculture at Kemptville College, in Kemptville, ON.
1990 - Journeyman Carpentry program at Lakeland College in Vermilion, AB.
1992 - Completed a Forestry Program at University of Guelph in Lindsay, ON.
2014 – 2015 Completed two Home Inspection Certifications in Calgary, AB.
Proprietorship of his Business (Birch Lake Woodworks) started in the 80’s, while commencing work for 10 years for George Golden on the 7D Ranch in Innisfree, AB; through an Agricultural Coop workplace program. Never focusing on just one endeavour, Jose moved back to the Metro-Toronto area, and worked for Rusco Doors & Windows while starting the forestry program. After gaining valuable expertise, he returned to Alberta to ranch life, and also worked for Alberta Forest Services. There he met his long-time friend, Lorne Johnson. In the fall of 1989 Joe continued to run Birch Lake Woodworks and accepted an invite from Lorne to work on the Queen Charlotte Islands in forestry. Putting a condition on the marriage, Deborah (his new fiancé), insisted he completed his forestry program. On August 10th, 1991, Jose married Deborah Mary Ann Gizowski. After completion of the forestry program, the couple moved to Port Clements, BC (Haiida Gwaii). They were blessed with two children: Ava Taijha, and Leo Fredrik. Jose eventually started working for MacMillan-Bloedel. In 1999 he accepted a transfer to Hudson Bay, SK where he worked for SaskFor-MacMillan (later becoming Weyerhaeuser-Timberlands).
In 2004, Jose created his company, Target NorthStar Prospectus: a family based forestry/carpentry business, working in areas such as Calgary, AB building condos; then near Flin Flon, MB working for Mee-toos Forest Products (Bob Wasylyk).
February 19, 2016 was the last full day of work in the bush, timber cruising for EdgeWood Forest Products Ltd. and trying to scale wood for Dion Morton (M&M Firewood). On February 22, 2016 Jose was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
Jose was involved with many clubs from 4H to the Forest Management Advisory Committee, along with many clubs and organizations as the children grew. He also trained and volunteered in Port Clements as a First Aid attendant, and Helicopter Search and Rescue. Brother John described Jose as extremely athletic: high school competitive pole-vaulting, wrestling, and football. In his later years: canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and parachuting were some of his past- times.
Jose was predeceased by his Son Jace David Joseph Menezes (Oct. 21-23, 1988); Father Jose Menezes (2010); and Father-in-law Fred Gizowski (1993). Left to cherish Jose’s memory is his wife Deborah Menezes; Daughter Ava Menezes; Son Leo Menezes; Mother Olivia Menezes; Siblings: John (Ana) Menezes, Olivia (David) Wilson, Nelia (Gary) Eden, along with 8 nephews and nieces, and 1 grand-niece; Mother-in-law Nadia Gizowski; Siblings-in-law: David (Farrah) Gizowski, Darlene (Anthony) Hawrylecho, Denise (Don) Herman, along with 5 nieces and nephews; and God-Son Nelson Coelho.